Lions Split With Pitt-Bradford in AMCC Action

ERIE, Pa. – Chloe Vernon scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Penn State Behrend softball team past Pitt-Bradford 3-2 in the nightcap of an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) doubleheader. The Panthers (13-15, 11-3 AMCC) won the opener by the same score, 3-2.

Game two was decided by the international tiebreaking rules after a 2-all standstill at the end of the seventh inning. Pitt-Bradford was stopped in the top of the eighth on a double play by Ashley Gruber. The Lions placed Vernon on second and she stole third on the first pitch to Morgan Griffin. Vernon scored on Griffin's hit turned error for the win.

The Lions (11-12, 8-6 AMCC) had a two run lead heading into the top of the seventh. With bases loaded, Carly Kirkpatrick hit a sacrifice fly into right field to score Erin Fieldhouse. Lead-off hitter, Erikka Rosplock, smacked a single into center field with two outs to make it 2-all before Behrend got the third out.

The Lions could not close out Pitt-Bradford in the bottom of the frame, waiting until the eighth to get the game-winning run thanks to Vernon.

Gruber and Sam Grismore each tallied two hits, including a double apiece. Kelsey Fuller picked up her sixth win, allowing just four hits and no earned runs.

In game one, the Panters scored all the runs they needed in the second inning for a 3-2 victory.

Gruber cranked out her team-leading fifth home run in the bottom of the second to make it 3-1. Behrend added one more run in the sixth with Amy Greene reaching on an error then scoring on a wild pitch.

Kayla Miller doubled in the Lions last chance to at bat, but the Panthers got the last two outs to capture game one.

Behrend returns to action on Saturday at La Roche. Game time is 1 p.m.