Softball Keeps Bats Hot Against La Roche

ERIE, Pa. – Alexa Bupp (Warren, PA/Warren) hit a two RBI triple to score the game-winning runs in a 2-0 victory over La Roche in game two of an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) doubleheader on Wednesday.

The Lions (16-10, 8-2 AMCC) used a 10-run second inning to take the opener 14-2 in five for the sweep, marking their eight consecutive conference win.

After an offensive first game, the nightcap turned into a pitchers dual until the sixth inning. With one out, AJ Nichols (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) singled down left-field line and then Shannon McDonnell (Fayston, VT/Harwood Union) reached on an error. The next at bat, Bupp sent a ball deep into right field to bring McDonnell off first and Nichols home from second for a 2-0 lead that would stand.

Nichols, the starting and winning pitcher, struck out two of the four batters in the seventh to secure the win for Behrend. The freshman finished with a four-hit shutout along with a season-high nine strikeouts for her sixth win.

The Lions brought their bats in game one, smacking 14 hits and scoring the same amount of runs for a convincing victory. McDonnell was a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBIs, including a double. Rachel Miller (North East, PA/North East) also tallied three hits and scored twice.

After a scoreless first inning, Banta started the big second inning with a two RBI double with no outs to score Bupp and McDonnell. The Lions, who tallied a total of eight hits in the frame, went through the batting order before recording their first out. Behrend added eight more runs for a 10-0 lead heading into the third inning.

Miller, the starting hurler, only allowed one base runner with a walk through three innings. Behrend added five more hits in the bottom of the third, producing four more runs to cap the scoring. Sarah Blagg (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) and McDonnell each knocked in runs with singles, while Bupp doubled to left center score the next two runs.

With two outs in the top of the fifth, La Roche managed to get its first hit off Miller and then avoided the shutout with an RBI double by LaSha Clark.

The Lions return to action on Saturday at Pitt-Greensburg. Game times are 1 and 3 p.m.