READING, PA. – In what was a doubleheader full of pitching mastery Kyla Benner was able to pitch Penn College to a 1-0 victory over Penn State Berks in game one salvaging an important NEAC split on the road.  The Wildcats fell in game two 2-1 despite an impressive pitching outing from Kassidy Svenson who pitched a strong 5.1 innings allowing just two runs on six hits.  The game one victory over Penn State Berks was the first NEAC Conference win in Wildcats softball history vs the Nittany Lions.  With the split Penn College improves to 5-1 in the NEAC while Penn State Berks sits at 3-1 NEAC. 

In game one,
How it Happened: In a game with limited offense, Penn College took advantage of a double off the bat of Ivvy Morder in the top of the 6th.  Morder would end up scoring on the double as there was an errant throw to second that skipped all the way through the infield and out of play allowing her to advance two bases in scoring what would be the game winning run.  Benner held Berks in check through six innings and was able to work herself out of a 7th inning jam to preserve the Wildcats win.  With runners on first and second and one out Benner was able to induce a groundout to second for the second out of the game.  The runners advanced to 2nd and 3rd on the play setting up a tense final out.  Benner put the Berks batter behind the count 1-2 and on the 4th pitch of the at-bat was able to force a fly out to right fielder Jaylynn Cochran ending the game.

Inside the Box: Lesley Fritz led the wildcats from the plate with two base hits.  Margaret Mangene, Cochran and Morder added the other hits for the Wildcats offense.  Benner picked up her third win of the season and second complete game shutout of the season.  On the season Benner now has an impressive 0.37 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 18.2 innings of work.
 
In game two,
How it Happened: Penn College tied the game at one in the top of the 4th inning on a Frtiz RBI single down the left field line scoring Jordan Specht.  The game remained tied until the bottom of the 6th when Penn State Berks scored the winning run on a wild pitch.  The Wildcats comeback in the top of the 7th was thwarted with a runner left on first.

Inside the Box: Jordan Specht led the Wildcats in game two with two hits and a run scored.  Madison Shaffer, Shayla Bickel Olivia Hemstock and Fritz all added one hit a piece.  Kassidy Svenson took the unfortunate loss allowing two runs and six hits in 5.1 innings pitched.  Svenson is 2-1 on the season with a 0.98 ERA. 

Up Next: Penn College returns to action Saturday when they host Lancaster Bible in a doubleheader at Elm Park.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm.