Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Freshman Nikki Marianelli (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) hit a three-run homer to lift the Lycoming College softball team to a 10-2 run-rule shortened six-inning win in the first game and junior Brie Braga (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) tossed a five-hit shutout in the nightcap to give the Warriors a 3-0 win over Arcadia University to sweep the Commonwealth Conference doubleheader on Saturday, April 14, at the Shangraw Athletic Complex.
 
Marianelli posted five RBI and two hits in the first game to pace the Warrior offense, and her sixth-inning three-run blast clinched the 10-2 win over Arcadia, snapping a 16-game skid two games shy of the longest losing streak in school history set in 2008.
 
The Warriors (7-16 overall, 2-6 Commonwealth) got on the board with a run in the first inning, as junior Holly Lansberry (Curwensville, Pa./Curwensville Area) walked and stole second before scoring on a two-out single by junior Janelle Poorman (Bellefonte, Pa./Bald Eagle Area). They extended the lead in the fourth inning with another single run, as junior Taylor Lesser (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) led off with a single, moved to second when freshman Caroline Lapano (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) was hit by a pitch, took third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a two-out single by Lansberry.
 
The Knights (13-17 overall, 2-6 Commonwealth) scored twice to tie the game in the fifth inning, using two hits, a walk, an error and a hit batter before Lansberry got out of the inning with a fielder’s choice and a fly out after Marianelli threw a runner out at the plate.
 
Lycoming scored three runs in the bottom of the inning, as freshman Kristin Steiner (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) singled and moved to second on a sac bunt. Lesser followed with a walk and an error loaded the bases. After a strikeout, Marianelli drilled a two-RBI single and her sister, junior Allyson Marianelli (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) followed with another RBI single, giving the Warriors a 5-2 lead.
 
Lansberry worked out of a jam in the sixth, as the first two runners reached before three flyouts ended the inning and the Warriors responded in the bottom of the inning by ending the game with five runs. Poorman singled with one out and Lesser followed with a walk. A wild pitch moved the runners up a base and a single up the middle by Lapano scored a pair of runners before a walk set up Nikki Marianelli’s first career home run, a three-run shot to center field to end the game.
 
Poorman went 2-for-3 with an RBI, Lesser went 2-for-2 with three runs and Lapano also posted two runs and two RBI for the Warriors.
 
Lansberry (3-6) tossed six innings, allowing three hits, four walks and one earned run. He struck out three. Jessica Wood (7-6) took the loss for the Knights, allowing seven hits and two earned runs in 4 2/3 innings. She walked two and struck out two.
 
In the second game, Braga (3-8) dominated the Knights, tossing a brilliant five-hitter, allowing two walks and striking out three to pace the Warriors to the sweep.
 
The Warriors got revenge on Kelsey Roberts (3-7), who tossed a no-hitter against the Warriors in an elimination game during the 2011 Commonwealth Conference Championship, scoring three runs in the sixth inning.
 
Still before the sixth, only three runners got to second base. However, the team broke through when Lansberry singled to lead off and moved to second on a sac bunt. After a bunt single by Steiner, Poorman laoded the bases when she was hit by a pitch. Lesser drove in the first run when she walked and Steiner scored on a wild pitch before a groundout brought in pinch-running freshman Kali Moeller (Frederickburg, Va./Chancellor).
 
Meanwhile, Braga was masterful on the mound, stranding eight runners on the basepaths. In the third inning, the Knights nearly scored after a strikeout and an error allowed Erin Wojcieszyn to reach. She nearly scored on an error, but Lesser fired a strike home to cut her down.
 
Wojcieszyn led the Knights with two hits and Steiner posted two hits and a run for the Warriors.
 
Roberts allowed four hits and three earned runs in six innings in the loss.
 
The Warriors get back in action on Sunday, April 15, when they face Commonwealth Conference foe Albright at 1 p.m. at the Shangraw Athletic Complex.