Heinl, Gruber Pace Lions Past Pitt-Bradford

CRESSON, Pa. – Julie Heinl not only pitched a complete game but she also went 3-for-3 from the plate to lead No. 6 Penn State Behrend over No. 3 Pitt-Bradford 5-2 in the opening game of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Softball Championships held at Mt. Aloysius on Friday morning.

Ashley Gruber tallied two extra-base hits for the Lions (15-15) with a double and her team-leading sixth home run of the season to start the four-run fourth inning that put Behrend ahead for good. Morgan Griffin added a 3-for-4 performance with two RBIs in the win.

With the game tied at 1-all after the first three innings, Gruber led off the top of the fourth with a home run to center field to even the score. The runs just kept on coming for the Lions with Kayla Miller's RBI single to knock in Kelsey Fuller, who walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch.

Kessi Osborne reached on a fielder's choice and Heinl singled to shortstop to put two on base for Griffin's at bat. The junior singled to right field to send in Osborne off second and Heinl scored before the throw to second for the third out on caught stealing.

From there, Behrend added four more hits in the final three innings and allowed one run by the Panthers in the bottom of the seventh.

Heinl struck out four and gave up two earned runs for her seventh win on the mound this season.

The Lions will play a second game today against No. 2 D'Youville at 2 p.m. During the regular season, the Spartans swept Behrend, 7-0 and 7-6.