Softball Team Loses in PSUAC, But Advances to USCAA

State College, PA - On Sunday, May 2, the Penn State Hazleton softball team defeated Penn State Beaver, 2-0 and 6-1, in a PSUAC match-up.

In game one, senior Sam Neely (Northgate High School, Bellevue, PA) started the game, pitching two scoreless innings, striking out one, and giving up no hits. Sophomore Kayla Chambers (South Side High School, Hookstown, PA) followed by pitching five innings, giving up one hit and striking out four. Neither pitcher gave up an earned run. Although the defense played a stellar game for seven innings, Hazleton was able to muster two unearned runs on two Beaver miscues. Beaver held Hazleton to one hit, but only put two hits on the board.

In game two, Hazleton was riding high, scoring two in the first inning. Beaver answered with a lead-off triple by Chelsea Barnes (New Brighton High School, New Brighton, PA) who scored on an error, bringing the score to 2-1 after one inning.  Beaver held Hazleton scoreless in the second, but couldn't manage to tie the score. Hazleton broke open the game in the third, scoring three times on three hits. Beaver never came back, and Hazleton added one more in the fifth to take their second win of the day.

Even with the loss, Beaver still qualified, for the fourth consecutive year, for the USCAA National Tournament beginning May 7 in Firestone Stadium, Akron, Ohio. Beaver qualified as the eighth seed and Hazleton, winning its second title in three years, qualified for the tournament as the fifth seed.