MONACA, Pa. – New Kensington softball (#3) dominated Penn State Beaver (#2) on Saturday in the first round of PSUAC playoffs, 9-0. It will advance to the double elimination tournament on Sunday, May 9 where it'll take on Penn State Brandywine at 1:30 p.m.

New Kensington came out strong in inning one. Calle Zmenkowski (Cheswick, Pa./Fox Chapel) was first in the lineup and tripled. Lauren Torgent (Tarentum, Pa./Highlands) got the RBI with a double as Zmenkowski was sent home. With a single, Riplee Burkhart (Verona, Pa./Penn Hills) reached first and advanced to second on a Beaver error which also allowed Torgent to score. New Kensington was already up, 2-0, before facing its first out. Towards the end of the inning, Molly Collins (Verona, Pa./Riverview) doubled, and Burkhart was able to run home.

In the bottom of the inning, Beaver didn't manage to get any hits, so New Kensington took the early lead, 3-0.

The second inning was faced with quick outs for both teams, but New Kensington got its momentum back in the third.

Natalie Heltebran (Irwin, Pa./Hempfield) started it off with a single and headed to second off a single bunt by Abby Kane (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional). Collins batted third and got two RBI, Heltebran and Kane, off a double. Collins was able to advance to third on a passed ball and scored courtesy of a Courtney Biswick (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills) double. Biswick was also able to score when Tori Young (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) doubled. The inning pushed New Kensington ahead, 7-0, moving into the bottom of the third.

Beaver saw two hits its during the time, but no plays were made. With two innings remaining, New Kensington used the top of the fourth to bring in more runs.

Already up against two outs, Kane singled. After reaching first on an error and advancing to second, Collins reached first, and the error assisted Kane in scoring. Another error on Beaver's behalf allowed Collins to run home, which pushed New Kensington further along, 9-0.

During the bottom of the inning, two pop ups and a line out sent Beaver back into defense.

The final inning saw little action with neither team scoring. New Kensington finished up the five-inning matchup as a dominant force, 9-0.

Zmenkowski, Kane, and Collins led in hits with two a piece. Collins was also the forefront for RBI (4), doubles (2), and runs (2). Biswick added up two runs as well. Zmenkowski was able to strike out four while pitching for New Kensington all five innings.

Written by Janet Surma