OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Notre Dame of Maryland softball team split a hard fought doubleheader against PSU-Berks, winning game one 6-5 and losing game two 4-6.
Game One: Notre Dame of Maryland 6 - PSU-Berks 5
The scoring began late in the game with a Nittany Lions home run in the third inning to take the lead 2-0. In the bottom half of the inning,
Annabelle Shumski scored off a fielder's choice to close the lead 2-1.
Between the fifth and sixth innings, the Nittany Lions scored three runs to extend their lead to 5-1.
While the Gators were trailing, they did not stop battling. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Shumski drove in a run from a sacrifice fly, and
Scarlett Miller drove in a run to cut the gap to 5-3.
In the seventh inning,
Eleanor Flores scored on an error by the Highlanders defense to come within one run.
Gabriella Allred walked it off with a two-RBI single to win the game for the Gators.
Allred led the Gators bats with a 3-for-4, two RBI performance.
Lilyian Hafner added two hits and two runs scored.
Raegan Perkes started in the circle allowing seven hits and five runs in five and two thirds innings pitched.
Julianna Leatherwood came in relief and pitched the remaining one and one third inning, earning the win.
Game Two: Notre Dame of Maryland 4 - PSU-Berks 6
In the first inning, the Nittany Lions jumped out to lead 3-0. They added one more run in the third to make it 4-0.
Flores opened the scoring for the Gators with an RBI double to score
Anabelle Hafner in the bottom of the third inning. The Nittany Lions answered back with their own one run fifth inning to keep their four run lead.
In the sixth inning, L. Hafner singled to drive in Leatherwood to try and chip away at the deficit, making it 5-2.
The Nittany Lions hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning to extend their lead to 6-2. The Gators managed to score two more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it was not enough as the Nittany Lions secured the 6-4 win.
Leatherwood led the Gators on offense with recording two hits, one RBI, and one run. Flores and L. Hafner added an RBI each.
Malorie Gogel received the loss, allowing six runs in all seven innings pitched.
The Gators next game is at home against conference rivals PSU-Harrisburg on Tuesday.
