Behrend Splits With Medaille; Herzog Hits Home Run

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend softball team split an Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) with Medaille, falling in game one 6-0 and then earning a come-back victory in the nightcap 7-5 on Thursday afternoon.

The Lions (14-18, 8-8 AMCC) scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open a 5-all tie for the win in game two. Leah Griffin (Springboro, PA/ Conneaut Lake) was a perfect 3-for-3, making two of those hits doubles, while Stacey Herzog (Smethport, PA/Smethport) smacked her first collegiate home run.

Hurler Kelsey Fuller (Albion, PA/Northwestern) came in to relieve Kelly Hedderick (Waterford, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) for the final two innings and earn the win.

In game two, both teams were able to get on the board in the first inning. The Mavericks (15-17, 8-8 AMCC) scored three and Hedderick's double down left-field line scored Sydney Sherrieb (Washington, PA/Trinity) and Fuller to make it 3-2.

After two scoreless innings, Behrend tied it when Griffin doubled Chelsi Riordan (Conneaut Lake, PA/Linesville) on third before Katie Kirik (Union City, PA/Union City) knocked her in with a single to the pitcher.

Medaille regained the lead in the fifth, but Herzog hit her first home run over the left-field fence to give the Lions momentum going into the sixth with a tie score.

Griffin led off the sixth with her second double and Kirik followed with a single. Hedderick singled to shortstop to score Kirik, the eventual game-winning run. Herzog reached on an error and Fuller added the insurance run.

The Mavericks scored six runs on 10 hits to get the victory in game one. After going ahead 1-0 in the second, Katie Gibbins hit a two-run homer to give Medaille a 4-0 lead heading into the fourth frame.

The Mavericks plated a run in the fourth and another in the sixth, helping Nicole Gulisano the shut-out win on the mound.

Behrend returns to action on Saturday against Pitt-Greensburg. Game time is 1 p.m.