WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Penn College will defend its 2021 conference championship at home following its sweep of Penn State-Berks in a United East softball doubleheader Saturday. The Wildcats improved to 25-3 United East, 27-8 overall following a 6-2 win in game one and a 3-1 victory in the second game.

Penn College will host the 2022 United East softball championship Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Game times are still to be determined.

How it happened: Olivia Hemstock stole home in the first inning to give Penn College a 1-0 lead before Berks added two in the third to go ahead, 2-1 in game one. A Jordan Specht double, and Hailey DeBrody's single, in the fifth put the Wildcats ahead for good, 3-2. Penn College added three insurance runs in the sixth on a Maddie Hurst single and Hemstock's two-run single.

The Wildcats took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when Specht brought in a run with a single and Hemstock touched home when Specht was caught stealing. The Nittany Lions went on the board in the bottom of the first before Hemstock added the final run in third when her single scored Madison Shaffer.

Inside the box: Hemstock was 3 for 4, with 2 RBI for Penn College in game one. Specht, Hurst, DeBrody, and Shaffer all picked up two hits. Kyla Benner improved to 13-4 after a complete-game effort. She allowed two earned runs, on six hits, with three strikeouts, and one walk.

Hurst led the Wildcats at the plate with two hits in game two. Mackenzie Weaver improved to 13-2 after seven innings of work. She allowed one unearned run, on four hits, with two strikeouts, and one walk.