Softball Rallies For Stunning Doubleheader Sweep of Eastern

(Game 1) / (Game 2)

Widener notched a 5-2 victory in the opener of its doubleheader with Eastern before rallying from a six-run deficit in the fourth inning of game two for a stunning 9-7 triumph to complete the sweep in Chester, PA.

Widener in game one grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first when freshman Angela Hood (Mullica Twp., NJ) scored on a throwing error. The margin grew to 3-1 in the second when senior Jackie Korang (Delran, NJ) crossed home on an error and Hood lined an RBI single.

The Pride closed the scoring in the third as sophomore Alie Alkins (Aston, PA) scored on an error and Korang laid down a perfect squeeze bunt, plating junior Carissa Harris (Douglassville, PA).

Hillsborough, NJ freshman Alexis Schengrund (5-1) once again pitched great for Widener, striking out nine to fall one short of her season high and yielding two runs and four hits over seven innings. Korang ended with two hits.

Alyssa Welsh (2-4) was tagged for five runs – one earned – and five hits over six innings with five strikeouts for Eastern (7-8). Kasey Williams rapped two hits and Erica Pyla-Gibson had an RBI double in the second inning.

Widener in game two was down 7-1 entering the last of the fourth before rallying in freezing temperatures. Harris began the adventure with a leadoff home run to left for her fourth career long ball and freshman Liz Antonucci (Nesconset, NY) added an RBI single through the left side for a 7-3 margin.

The Pride (6-4) in the fifth got two more for a 7-5 deficit. Harris continued her exploits with an RBI single up the middle and, after stealing second and reaching third on a throwing error, scored on Korang's infield single to shortstop.

While the sun was setting, Widener's chances for victory were getting brighter in the sixth. Freshman Ally Horvath (Chalfont, PA) led off by reaching on a muffed throw, stole second and Hood followed when she was hit by a pitch. Sophomore Heather Forward (Philadelphia, PA) laid down a sacrifice bunt looking to move the tying run into scoring position, but reached on a throwing error to load the bases with none out.

Alkins followed with a single up the middle, Widener's only hit of the inning, to plate Horvath and Hood with everyone moving up an extra base on a fielding error for a tie game. After Harris struck out, freshman Bree Vanreenen (Elkton, MD) put down a great sacrifice bunt that scored Forward and a throwing error that was the Eagles' fourth miscue of the inning allowed Alkins to cross home for the final.

Souderton, PA freshman Salina Allebach (1-1) got her first collegiate win, allowing no runs and two hits over three with four strikeouts. Harris ended with three of her squad's nine hits and Hood smacked her first career home run in the third inning.

Ashton Tomlinson (0-2) came into a 7-1 game looking for a three-inning save, but instead got no help from her defense in allowing six runs – one earned – and three hits over two innings with two strikeouts. Karlee Kerchersky hit a three-run homer in the fourth that ended the Eagles' scoring and Erica Houck led off the third with a home run.

Widener, which has won five of its last seven games, is on the road Thursday for a Commonwealth Conference doubleheader at Albright. First pitch in Reading, PA is 2:30 pm.

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