Penn College defeated Valley Forge in a softball doubleheader on April 18, winning the first game 1-0 and the second game 24-0. With these victories, Penn College improved its record to 8-2 in league play and 23-5 overall, while Valley Forge fell to 2-10 in conference games and 7-18 overall.
The results are significant for Penn College as they strengthen their position in the league standings heading into the final week of regular season conference play.
In the opening game, Sam Shaw broke a scoreless tie with a bunt single that drove home Ryleigh Rinker from third base during the sixth inning. Mackenzi Tice secured her fourteenth win of the season by striking out all three batters she faced in the seventh inning. Tice finished with nine strikeouts over three innings of relief pitching, while Alivia Bizzarri allowed only two hits through her first three and one-third innings.
The Wildcats’ offense surged in game two, scoring thirteen runs in the second inning, nine more runs in the third, and adding two additional runs in the fourth for a total of twenty-four runs. Nine different players recorded hits during this game. Sofia Mileto, Payton Crawford, and Ryleigh Rinker each collected three hits. Crawford led with seven runs batted in (RBIs), including both a triple and a double. Mileto scored four times to lead all players; Carissa Lusk, Rinker, and Tice each crossed home plate three times. Tice also pitched a complete-game shutout allowing just three hits while striking out ten batters.
Looking ahead, Penn College will conclude its regular season conference schedule on the road next week with games at Keystone on Tuesday, Penn State Harrisburg on Thursday, and Gallaudet on Saturday.
