NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – A 10-run fifth inning in their first game of the season and a two-RBI single in the second game helped the Lycoming College softball team sweep their first day of the 2015 season, defeating Hilbert, 13-0, in five innings, before posting a 3-2 win over Penn State Berks on Monday, March 9, at the North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex.
 
The Warriors (2-0 overall) broke open a close game with a 10-run fifth inning and senior Caroline Lapano (Harrisburg, Pa./Trinity) and freshman Rachael Shady (Lock Haven, Pa./Central Mountain) combined on a two-hit shutout to lead the team to a 13-0 win over Hilbert (0-1 overall).
 
With a 3-0 lead, the Warriors started the fifth-inning rally when senior Nikki Marianelli (Old Forge, Pa./Old Forge) singled to lead off. After a fly out, junior Shawna Risley (Howard, Pa./Bald Eagle Area) delivered an RBI double. Shady followed with a single before freshman Ashley Schoenstadt (Gap, Pa./Pequea Valley) also singled to drive in Risley before sophomore Morgan Kunes (Beech Creek, Pa./Central Mountain) drove in Shady.
 
An error helped senior Kali Moeller (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) reach and bring in Schoenstadt. A walk by junior Elisa Novak (Ambler, Pa./Germantown Academy) loaded the bases before an error helped freshman Samantha Fischer (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) drive in a run. Marianelli followed with a bases loaded walk before junior Kristi Weaver (Milton, Pa./Milton Area) drove in a run with a groundout. Risley added a two-RBI single to round out the scoring.
 
Lycoming took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, as Novak singled before a sac bunt moved her to second. Marianelli followed with an RBI single before Weaver and sophomore Kelcie Crabb (Millmont, Pa./Mifflinburg)walked to load the bases. After a popup, junior Dominique Thomas (Williamsport, Pa./Williamsport Area) and senior Hannah Smith (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro Area) drove in runs with walks.
 
Novak finished 2-for-3 with two runs and Marianelli went 2-for-3 with three runs and two RBI to lead the Warriors. Risley finished 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs.
 
Tyler Lynn Langer and Elissa Hall each provided hits for Hilbert.
 
Lapano (1-0) tossed four shutout innings, striking out four to earn the win. She allowed two hits. Shady tossed a perfect fifth inning, striking out one.
 
Victoria Dzaak (0-1) allowed 10 hits and seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.
 
In the second game of the day, the Warriors held off a late comeback from the defending North East Athletic Coast Champions, Penn State Berks (0-3 overall), posting a 3-2 win.
 
Weaver tossed six innings, allowing eight hits and two unearned runs, striking out three before yielding to Shady, who faced two batters to get three outs for her first career save.
 
Lycoming jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, as Weaver started the rally with a single before Crabb followed with another single. After a groundout moved them up a base, a flyout set up a two-out single to right field by junior Ashley Burger (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville Area) scored both runners.
 
The Warriors expanded the lead with another run in the top of the sixth, as Thomas led off with a single before a sac bunt moved her to second. Freshman Heather Secord (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown Area) followed with a single into center field.
 
Weaver allowed just one runner past first base in the first five innings, but in the sixth, two hits and an error led to two runs to get the Lions back within a run. When Penn State Berks led off the seventh with a single, Shady entered the game and she got two fly outs, with the second turning into a double play to end the game.
 
Burger led the Warriors, going 2-for-2 with two RBI and Crabb also went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Rhianna Roulston and Kaylie Vrabel led the Lions with two hits a piece.
 
Abby Staskiel (0-1) allowed three runs and 10 hits in the complete game for the Lions. She walked one and struck out one.
 
The Warriors get back on the field in North Myrtle Beach on Tuesday, March 10, when they face Randolph at 11:30 a.m. and Robert Morris-Springfield at 3:30 p.m.