Erie, PA- The Alfred State softball team bounced back in a big way, earning a 10–7 game two victory over Penn State Behrend, who entered the match-up undefeated in conference play. After coming up short in game one, the Pioneers responded with intensity and grit to secure the split. With the win, Alfred State improves to 10–15 overall and 5–6 in conference play.
Game one:
Hannah Powers started on the mound in game one, throwing for a little over three innings before
Sydney Howard and
Marissa Ordway came in as reliefs. At the plate,
Abbie Millard and
Liana Dion led as they both went 2-3, Dion notching a double.
The Lions began tacking on their runs starting in the third inning, as they put four on the board. The Pioneers were able to plate one run in the fourth as
Ariel Maine reached on an error that allowed Dion to score. PSB didn't let up as they slated four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, putting them in a seven-run lead 8-1. They closed it out in the sixth by earning one more run to shut it out, 9-1.
Game two:
Sophia Petrie led the Pioneers to the win, delivering seven solid innings in the circle, recording three strikeouts and only allowing eight hits as she picked up her second win of the season. The Pios bats came alive in game two, Millard continuing her momentum going 2-3 with an RBI. Dion and
Jordyn Colvin both went 2-4 at the plate, Colvin launching a triple. ASC recorded six stolen bases in game two, eight in total for the day.
To start the game off Alfred State went on a five-run rally, creating distance before the Lions even got their chance. Millard singled through the left side on a rocket to score the first run followed by a wild pitch to score the second. Dion kept it rolling with a single to plate Millard to which Colvin smoked a triple over the right fielders head to score Dion. Colvin made it home on a dropped third strike that was thrown to first, 5-0.
ASC grabbed three more insurance runs in the third inning, giving them a secure 8-0 lead.
Kate Gemza knocking two of those runs in as she lasered a double to left center to score Colvin and Dion. They continued to capitalize by notching their ninth run in the fourth inning, 9-0. The Lions were able to cut the deficit in the bottom of the inning, plating three runs 9-3. In the sixth,
Emma Edwards doubled down the right field line to score the final Pioneer run. Behrend put up a solid attempt at a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, putting pressure on Alfred State to get the last three outs. They managed to score four runs before the Pioneers put the game to bed and secured the win, 10-7.
ASC hits the road again this weekend as they head to Pittsburgh, PA to take on conference opponents, the Carlow Celtics on Saturday. First pitch is set for 12 pm.
