Lady Lions Are #1 Seed in PSUAC

By Athletic Department Staff Writer

Monaca, PA - The Penn State Beaver Lady Lions, including two senior players, ended their season as regular season champions in the PSUAC after defeating rival Penn State Greater Allegheny, 9-1 and 15-7, and earning the # 1 seed.

In game one, sophomore Kayla Chambers (South Side High School, South Side, PA) was able to keep Greater Allegheny from scoring in the first and second innings, but in the process, Beaver couldn't score in those two innings, keeping the game locked at 0-0.

After another outstanding inning of fielding and pitching, Beaver held Greater Allegheny again in the top of the third to no runs but this time, Beaver jumped on the first pitch and played to the last out in the inning after scoring four runs against Greater Allegheny for a score of 4-0. Beaver added one more run in the bottom of the fourth and Greater Allegheny added one of their own in the top of the fifth. Beaver came back with another run in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the bottom of the sixth. Greater Allegheny couldn't score again and lost to Beaver due to the eight-run mercy rule. Junior Jen Hain (North Gate High School, Pittsburgh, PA) led Beaver with two hits and two RB's while senior Taylor Rzeczkowski (Highland High School, Tarentum, PA) and junior Alonna Verrico (Rochester High School, Rochester, PA) each ended the game with hits and one RBI.

In the second game, Beaver senior Melissa Swoager (South Side High School, South Side, PA) pitched a solid first inning and prevented Greater Allegheny from scoring while Beaver scored its first run in the bottom of the first. Greater Allegheny came back with a run in the top of the second to tie the game, 1-1. However, Beaver rallied in the bottom of the second, scoring an incredible twelve runs assisted by Swoager's fifth homerun of the season, and bringing the game to 13-1.

Greater Allegheny came back with four runs in the top of the third and Beaver scored one more run in the bottom of the inning. Greater Allegheny added two more runs in the top of the fourth and held Beaver to no runs in the bottom of the inning, bringing the score to 14-7. Beaver regained its focus, though, and ended the game when freshman Jessica Campbell (Beaver Falls High School, Beaver Falls, PA) singled to score the winning run. The eight-run rule was enforced to end the game.

The Lady Lions are 17-1 in the PSUAC and 23-16 overall. On Wednesday, April 29 Beaver will travel to Williamsport, PA for the PSUAC tournament where Beaver is the # 1 seed. Play begins at 5 p.m.