Box Score

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The only thing that seemed able to slow down the Lycoming College softball team’s offense was darkness at Weaver Park Field on Wednesday, April 11, as Juniata was able to take a 12-9, nine-inning decision in the first game of a planned doubleheader before the Warriors led the Eagles 10-4 at the end of four innings in the second game. However, the game was called due to darkness and the game is not considered official.
 
The Warriors (5-16 overall) scored in all four frames of the second game, including scoring seven in the last two innings to help them build a big lead over the Eagles (9-14 overall) in the darkness-shortened outing.
 
Lycoming got on the board in the first inning, as junior Amy Cline (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg Area) singled with one out and freshman Kristin Steiner (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) reached on an error. After a pop-out, freshman Caroline Lapano (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) singled to left to drive in a run. In the second inning, the Warriors kept the sticks going, with sophomore Abbi Miller (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) leading off with a  double before a single by freshman Katie Pugh (Sykesville, Md./Century) drove her in. After a fielder’s choice and a popup, back-to-back singles from Cline and Steiner drove in junior Allyson Marianelli (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge), giving the Warriors a 3-0 lead.
 
Juniata got two runs back in the bottom of the inning thanks to a two-RBI triple from Katie Schroeder, making it 3-2. The Warriors responded, though, with even more offense, as back-to-back errors helped two runners reach second and third with one out before a grounder brought in a run. Marianelli followed with a double to bring in another run. Junior Holly Lansberry (Curwensville, Pa./Curwensville Area) walked, setting up an RBI single from Cline and an error in the outfield helped Lansberry score.
 
Juniata scored twice more in the bottom of the third inning to make it 7-4, but the Warriors responded again in the fourth frame, scoring three times to take a 10-4 lead, as junior Janelle Poorman (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) started the rally with a single before Lapano doubled down the left field line and junior Brie Braga (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) followed with a two-RBI single. After an infield single by Miller, and a pair of fly outs, Lansberry doubled to center field to bring in Braga.
 
Cline went 3-for-4 with a run and RBI and Lapano went 2-for-3 with two runs and RBI in the halted game. Miller also had two hits.
 
Lansberry pitched four innings, allowing six hits and four runs. She struck out four. Rachel Smith threw three innings for the Eagles, allowing 12 hits and five earned runs.
 
Smith hit a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning to help Juniata sneak away with a 12-9 win in the first game of the doubleheader.
 
Down 6-3 after five innings, the Warriors started a comeback in the sixth inning as junior pinch-hitter Bethany Garnand (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg) started the rally with a single, took second on a groundout and scored on a double down the line by Marianelli.
 
Lycoming tied the game with a pair of runs in the seventh inning, as Steiner singled and both Poorman and Lapano each walked to load the bases. After a pair of outs, Braga drilled a double to left center to tie the game.
 
The Warriors kept the pressure on, scoring two more in the eighth inning, as Marianelli started the inning at second and took third on an infield hit by Lansberry. After Lansberry stole second, a groundout scored Marianelli. Lansberry took third on a wild pitch and scored on a squeeze play bunt by Steiner.
 
The Warriors nearly closed out the game in the bottom of the inning, getting two outs before Jennifer Ashcroft tied the game at eight with a homer to left field.
 
In the ninth, Lycoming scratched a run across, with freshman Nikki Marianelli (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) starting the inning at second and taking third on a sac bunt before scoring on a sac fly. A fielder’s choice and a walk loaded the bases for the Eagles in the bottom of the inning, though, setting up Smith’s homer.
 
Lycoming got out to a quick start with a run in the first, as Lansberry led off with a walk, took second on a groundout and scored on a two-out single by Poorman. After Juniata got two runs in the bottom of the first, the Warriors got two runs, as Miller reached on an error. After a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch, Allyson Marianelli walked, leading to a double to left center by Lansberry. The Eagles tied the game with a run in the third before a three-run homer by Smith gave Juniata a 6-3 lead in the fifth.
 
Lansberry led the Warriors, going 3-for-4 with two runs, two RBI and two doubles. Steiner went 2-for-4 with run and RBI and Braga notched a double, a run and three RBI.
 
Smith went 4-for-5 with three runs, two doubles, two homers and nine RBI and Kelsea Decker added two hits, a run and RBI.
 
Braga (2-9) took the loss on the hill for the Warriors, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs in eight innings. She struck out nine and walked four. Decker (7-6) earned the win for the Eagles, allowing 11 hits, six walks and seven earned runs in nine innings. She struck out seven.
 
The Warriors step back into Commonwealth Conference play on Saturday, April 14, when Arcadia comes to the Shangraw Athletic Complex for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.