Softball scores 27 runs in sweep of Penn State Beaver

MONACA, Pa. --- Carlow University softball pounded 27 hits and scored 27 runs in a sweep of Penn State Beaver Saturday afternoon.

The Celtics improved to 4-8 overall with the win, while the Lions fell to 2-8 overall.

Game 1: W, 11-10

After a 30 minute rain delay concluding the second inning, Carlow pulled off a comeback victory to win the first game of the day, 11-10.

Prior to the delay, the Celtics gained a 3-1 lead in the top of the second. Two walks and a single up the middle loaded the bases for Carlow, and a fielder's choice allowed a run across to tie the game at 1-1. A wild pitch put runners on second and third, and a ground out gave Carlow a 2-1 lead. Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) singled to left field to drive in the final run of the inning. A hit and an error in the bottom half of the frame added an unearned run for the Lions, trailing 3-2.

Carlow added an unearned run of its own in the top of the third before Beaver gained the lead in the bottom of the inning.

Two doubles, three singles and a walk brought in five runs for the Lions, now leading 7-4. A single, a walk and a fielder's choice added a run for the Celtics in the top of the fourth, and the Lions tacked on a run of their own to stay ahead, 8-5.

Carlow retired the Lions in order in the bottom of the fifth and regained the lead in the top of the sixth. Mackenzie Egley hit a one-out single up the middle, and Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) roped a double to center field to bring her around. With two outs now on the board, McKenna Pierce (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area HS) stepped to the plate and blasted her first home run of the season over the left field fence to tie the game at 8-all. Four walks and a hit batter added two more runs for the Celtics, now up 10-8, before Beaver escaped the inning.

Mackenzie Boyd hit a solo shot to center field to start off the bottom of the sixth for the Lions, now trailing by one. A one-out triple turned into another out for Carlow as the Beaver baserunner missed touching second base on her way around. The Celtics tagged the bag and the runner to ensure the out, and pitcher Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) picked up a fly out to end the inning,

A walk and two errors added another unearned run for the Celtics in the top of the seventh. A double, fielder's choice and a ground out tacked on a run for Beaver in the bottom of the inning, but Carlow slammed the door with an infield pop fly to end the game.

Schumacher earned the win in the circle, allowing two earned runs on four hits with a strikeout in 3.1 innings of work. Mackenzie Egley went 4 for 5 with an RBI, and Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI.

Boyd suffered the loss for the Lions, allowing five earned runs on three hits with two walks and a strikeout in 2.1 innings. Maria Matts went 3 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI.

Game 2: W, 16-3 (5 inn.)

The Celtics, most likely tired of the incessant wind and biting cold, made quick work of the Lions in the nightcap.

A walk and a double by Bicko put a run on the board in the first inning. Mackenzie Egley singled, and Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) hit a one-out single through the left side to bring Bicko home before Beaver picked up two strikeouts to end the inning. Bella Cartieri (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area HS) made a diving snag at third to keep a ball in the infield and the Lions off the board in the bottom half of the frame.

The Celtics took advantage of a walk, two errors, four singles and two doubles to go ahead 8-0 in the second inning. Erica Keeley (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley HS) recorded her first collegiate RBI with a ground out to bring in the Celtics' final run of the inning. Two hits and an error cut Carlow's lead to five in the bottom half of the frame.

Carlow added an unearned run in the third, and Pollinger made a diving catch in center field to prevent any runs from coming home.

Taylor Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) doubled to start off the fourth and advanced to third on a ground out, and Emilee Speicher (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson HS) hit a sacrifice fly to left field to bring her home and put the Celtics ahead 10-3.

Carlow enacted the run rule in the top of the fifth. A two-run single up the middle from Wiggs and a two-run double to left field by Taylor Egley put Carlow ahead, 14-3. An error added an unearned run, and Fran Beighley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum Senior HS) doubled to right field to bring in another before the Lions picked up a fly out to end the barrage. Carlow retired the Lions in order in the bottom half of the frame to end the game.

Bicko earned the complete game win, allowing three earned runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Beighley went 3 for 4 with three doubles and an RBI, Taylor Egley hit 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI, Wiggs went 3 for 4 with three RBI and Bicko helped her own cause going 2 for 3 with a double and three RBI.

Reza Benson suffered the loss for the Lions, allowing six earned runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts in an inning. Selene Arteaga hit 2 for 3 and drove in two runs for the Lions.

Carlow returns to the diamond with a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Saint Vincent College March 24.