BLOOMSBURG, Pa - The Bloomsburg University softball team splits their second conference doubleheader against Shippensburg University. Shippensburg took the first game, 4-1 before the Huskies came back swinging to take the second game, 10-2 in just 6 innings. With the split games, the Huskies moved to an overall record of 15-13 and 1-3 in conference play; while the Raiders moved to a 18-12 overall record and a 4-2 PSAC record.
The Huskies had the early lead as
Alex Iseminger (Everett, Pa./Everett Area) grounded out to first base for Kayliegh Lenner to find home plate for the first run of the game.
The game stayed stagnant until the fourth inning when Shippensburg's sophomore, Maelynn Leber doubled to right field and collected two RBI as Alyssa Nehlen and Morgan Lindsay scored to push the Raiders in the lead, 2-1. Shippensburg kept the momentum going as Taylor Myers picked up two RBI off an error by Bloomsburg's left fielder that pushed Morgan Brumbaugh and Leber in to score.
In the top of the 7th, Shippensburg had a potential scoring opportunity, with bases loaded and two outs, Nehlen stepped up to the plate and sent the ball to left field for an easy out by Barnes.
The Huskies were unable to get another hit off of Shippensburg's freshman pitcher, Alicia Ball and the Huskies had to settle for the 4-1 loss over the Raiders before heading into the second game.
The Huskies were led by
Kayleigh Lenner (Sunbury, Pa./Shikellamy), who went 3-for-5 with one hit while
Alex Iseminger (Everett, Pa./Everett Area) collected the RBI.
Headed into game two, the Huskies came out firing as they collected four runs in the first inning.
Lenner started the Huskies out strong as she singled down the left field line to get herself on base before Iseminger doubled down to left field and collected an RBI as her hit pushed Lenner home for the first run of the game.
Danielle Barnes (Coopersburg, Pa./Southern Lehigh) stepped up to the plate and found a hole down the middle for a perfect scoring opportunity as
Erin DelPierre (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) and Iseminger rounded home to advance the Huskies to a 3-0 lead. The final run of the inning came off of
Emma Little's (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn-Trafford) bat as she singled to right field and advanced to second base off an error from Shippensburg's right fielder that gave Barnes the opportunity to sprint home for the fourth run of the game.
Going into the second inning, Shippensburg was able to get one hit off of freshman pitcher,
Kelly Eberly (Purcellville, Va/Homeschooled), but was unable to get on the board.
Nicolette Ray (Abington, Pa./Abington) continues to be a dominant force for the Huskies as she drove in her seventh home run for the season and extended the Huskies lead to 5-0.
The Huskies collected three more runs moving into the third inning as Alex Wetzler kicked things off by collecting her 5th RBI of the season as she singled up the middle to drive
Bella Culp (Harrisburg, Pa/Central Dauphin) home.
Sammi Starr (Berwick, Pa./Berwick Area) reached first base off an error by the Raiders center fielder and collected her 20th RBI of the season as her hit advanced Wetzler to third and sent Little home to score. With the Huskies in striking distance of closing out the doubleheader in just five innings; Wetzler stole home off a wild pitch to secure the 8-0 lead.
The Raiders finally had a scoring chance in the top of the fourth as Morgan DeFeo was hit by the pitch with bases loaded and Maelynn Leber walked home for the Raiders first run of the game. The second and final run for Shippensburg came shortly after from Emma Mackulin as she scored off a wild pitch from BU pitcher, Eberly.
Hoping to close out the game, Starr stole home off a wild pitch and slid into home plate to secure the 9-2 lead. DelPierre followed by stealing second base, but was unable to make it home as Culp sent one high out to left field with two outs to send the game into the sixth inning.
The Raiders were unable to get a hit off of freshman pitcher Eberly and the Huskies ended the game in the bottom of the sixth as Wetzler stole home for a final score of 10-2.
Wetzler led the Huskies through the second game going, 1-for-4 with one RBI and one hit; while Lenner finished out the game, going 3-for-5 with three hits. Ray finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run while Culp was 2-for-3.
Eberly picked up the win in the circle for the Huskies as she allowed just two runs on five hits and three walks. The freshman struck out eight in the 6.0 innings of work.
The Huskies get back on the road Tuesday, April 12 for a rescheduled doubleheader against Clarion University, slated to begin at 2:30 pm.
