Softball picks up two wins on the road at Penn State DuBois

DUBOIS, Pa. --- Carlow University softball swept Penn State DuBois in nonconference action Wednesday evening.

The Celtics (16-22) declared a run-rule victory in the first game and defeated the Lions (12-13) 4-2 in the nightcap.

Game 1: W, 9-1 (5 inn.)

Anna Schumacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin HS) did not allow a walk, scattered four hits and struck out four as the Celtics run-ruled the Lions in five innings.

Two walks and a two-out single to right field from Tatum Wiggs (Boron, Calif./Boron HS) scored the first run for Carlow in the first inning. A passed ball allowed an unearned run across before DuBois picked up a strikeout to end the inning.

Schumacher led off the top of the second with an infield single, and Lexi Berta (DuBois, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) hit her first career triple to put the Celtics ahead, 3-0. Haley Bicko (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown HS) and Fran Beighley (Pittsburgh, Pa./Plum Senior HS) hit back-to-back singles to score two more runs in the inning.

The Lions retired the Celtics in order in the top of the third, and two, two-out singles in a row scored DuBois' lone run of the game in the bottom half of the frame.

Carlow scored its final four runs in the top of the fifth. Megan Pollinger (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny Senior HS) hit a one-out single to right field, and Wiggs brought her home with a double to left field.

Mackenzie Egley (Shelocta, Pa./Armstrong HS) singled to center field to put runners on the corners, and a wild pitch and subsequent error by the catcher afforded the Celtics two more runs.

Emilee Speicher (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson HS) and Schumacher hit back-to-back doubles, and Berta hit an RBI single to center field to score Carlow's final run of the game.

Wiggs and Berta each went 2 for 3 with two RBI, and Schumacher hit 2 for 3 with a double.

Kelsey Stuart was saddled with the loss after allowing four earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and three walks.

Game 2: W, 4-2

The Lions struck first with a run in the bottom of the first inning, and Carlow responded with three runs in the top of the third.

Two one-out singles put runners in scoring position, and a two-out single from Pollinger tied the game. A two-run single by Wiggs in the next at-bat drove in two runs to give Carlow a 3-1 lead.

The Celtics scored their final run in the top of the fourth. Two singles and an error loaded the bases with one out on the board. A fielder's choice brought a run across, and a runner was tagged out stretching the play at home.

The Carlow defense left four runners stranded through the next three innings, and the Lions attempted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh.

A lead-off triple and a single to left field cut Carlow's lead to 4-2, prompting a pitching change for the Celtics. A sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third, but Schumacher recorded a line out and a strikeout to end the game.

Samantha Tressler (Brownsville, Pa./Brownsville Area HS) earned her second win of the season, scattering nine hits and allowing two earned runs with a strikeout and two walks in six innings. Schumacher earned the save with a walk and a strikeout in the final inning.

Wiggs hit 2 for 4 with two RBI, Pollinger went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Beighley went 2 for 3 at the plate.

Stuart suffered the loss for the Lions, allowing three earned runs on nine hits with two walks in the complete game effort. Sienna Barnhart hit 3 for 4 and       Jessy Frank went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

The Celtics travel to Mount Aloysius College for a 3 p.m. Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference doubleheader April 30.