CLERMONT, Fl. – Carson Hauser (Westfield, NY/Westfield Academy) scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning to help the Penn State Behrend softball team past RPI 5-4 in extra innings on the final day the PFX Spring Games in Clermont, Florida.
The Lions (7-3) picked up a second win on the day by defeating Nebraska Wesleyan 3-0 in the nightcap. AJ Nichols (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) went 2-for-3 with a two RBI double in the sixth to get Behrend on the board. She also pitched a one-hit shutout with seven strikeouts for her fourth win in the circle.
In the opener, the Lions (6-3) broke a 3-all tie with two runs in the ninth for a 5-3 lead, and Rensselaer could only get one more for the one-run Behrend victory.
In the game-ending inning with Angela Sullivan (Belle Vernon, PA/Belle Vernon) placed on second for the international tie-breaker rule, Katie Gozzard (Pittsburgh, PA/Deer Lakes) knocked her in with a single through the left side to make it 4-3. Next batter, Mackenzie McIntire (Stoneboro, PA/Lakeview) got a hit to center field to send home Hauser, who reached on a dropped fly ball, for the eventual game-winning run.
RPI got a double with no outs to get Rebecca Kienz off second to home but the Lion's defense got the first out before turning a double play to end the inning for the win.
Behrend took the early lead in the game with two runs in the first and then another in the second for a 3-0 advantage. Rensselaer responded with two runs in the third and another in the fifth to tie the game at 3-all.
Gozzard and Alexa Bupp (Warren, PA/Warren) each tallied two hits. Bupp came in for relief for Jillian Williams (Corry, PA/Corry), pitching the final six innings and allowing four hits and fanning seven batters for the win.
Against Nebraska Wesleyan, Behrend scored all three runs in the sixth inning for their seventh win. Sullivan walked and Gozzard singled. Sullivan scored on Bupp's at bat, before Nichols drove home her and Gozzard in for a 3-0 final.
The Lions return to action on Wednesday, March 21 against Westminster. Game times are 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
