Beaver rolls past Christendom, 2-0

By: Matylda Zamudio

FRONT ROYAL, Va. – The Penn State Beaver women's softball team extended its winning streak to four games after two dominant performances in Sunday's doubleheader against Christendom College.

The Lady Lions played lights-out in game one, scoring five runs in the first inning, which was then cushioned by senior Vanessa Jackson (Snohomish), who stuck out two Christendom batters to hold Beaver's 5-0 lead. The batters cranked up the heat on Christendom's defense in the second inning, with six hits that fostered a 10-run inning for the Lady Lions -- which ended with senior Brenna Cepull (Monaca/Central Valley) hitting a 3-RBI single that sent senior Dina Cable (Mannington/ Salem County Vo Tech), junior Jessica Hughes (Hopewell) and Jackson to the final three runs of the inning (15-0). Beaver's offense prowess spilled over in the top of the third, as the Lady Lions made four more runs, three of which came after Cable hit a 3-RBI doubled, to propel freshman Peyton Mattson (Irvine/University), freshman Michelle Cisco (Churchville/C. Milton Wright) and freshman Taylor Johnson (San Antonio/ East Central) to score (19-0). Beaver's defense kept the wide-lead intact by not allowing a single run by Christendom in the final three innings, taking a 19-0 victory in the first game.

Senior Brittany Garza (La Feria) led the offense in game one, going 3 for 3 at-bats and earned 2 RBIs followed by Cepull, who was 4 for 5 at-bats and earned 3 RBIs. Cable and junior Lacey Weible (Hookstown/South Side) had a commendable offensive performance, each contributing 3 RBIs apiece.

Jackson pitched a complete game and had a powerful performance on the mound by striking out 13 of the 18 batters she faced. Jackson also only allow three hits in the five innings she pitched.

The momentum of game one followed Beaver into the second game, as the Lady Lions jumped ahead 4-0 at the end of the fourth inning. While Christendom managed to land on the board with two runs in the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Lions answered right back with two runs of their own at the top of the sixth (6-2) followed by Beaver's fielders forcing the three-straight outs by the challengers in the bottom of the inning. In the final inning, Beaver, once again, had a dominant offensive performance at-bat, which facilitated an 11-run with ended Taylor Johnson hitting a home-run, to drive Mattson, senior Torey Cassidy (Hinsdale/Portville), freshman Haley Velemirovich (Freedom) and herself straight across home base (17-2). Beaver swept Christendom, 2-0.

Weible led the offense in game two after she went 2 for 3 with 1 RBIs, followed by freshman Taylor Johnson (San Antonio/ East Central), who went 3 for 5 and led the team in RBIs (5).

At the mound for Beaver was Sophomore Natalie Larkin (Center Twp./Central Valley), who pitched a complete game, only allowed four hits in seven innings and struck out four of the 27 batters she faced.

After today's doubleheader against Christendom, Beaver is now 8-4 overall for the season. 

The Lady Lions will be on the road for Tuesday's doubleheader against Grove City, on Mar. 19. Game one is at 3 p.m. followed by game two at 5 p.m.