CHESTER, Pa. – Although Widener softball fell to Messiah on Sunday, they earned a split with the Penn State Harrisburg Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions won game one 4-2, and the Pride took the second game 3-2.

The Pride are 8-12 in the regular season. They are 0-4 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST PENN STATE HARRISBURG

Game 1

Becca Tiley and Sam McCarthy led the Pride with one run each. McCarthy and Jalia Lawrence had one hit each. Jill Gray started on the mound, allowing eight hits and four runs. But, she struck out one batter.

The Nittany Lions got on the board first, recording an RBI double by their third batter. The Pride earned a walk and had a runner reach first base from a fielder's choice in the bottom of the first, but the inning ended on a strikeout looking. Another RBI double for Penn State Harrisburg, this time in the top of the second, brought in more runs. They left two runners on base as Widener's defense made a stop. The Pride's offense was still getting women in scoring position in the bottom of the second. While McCarthy reached third base, a fly-out on the next play put the Nittany Lions back on offense. Both sides only had one runner get on base in the third inning, showing the strong defensive stands by both teams. Widener trailed after three, 2-0.

The visitors began the fourth inning with a double. A bunt advanced a runner to third base, and a groundout turned into an RBI on the next play. The Nittany Lions would get another RBI two batters later to increase their lead to 4-0. In the bottom of the fourth, the Pride loaded the bases. A hit by Bella Walker was good for two RBIs, scoring McCarthy and Tiley. The score was 4-2 Penn State Harrisburg. The fifth and the sixth innings were defensive battles for both sides. The only runner for either team came in the bottom of the fifth. Lawrence had made it to first base safely on a single. Needing a few runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Pride went back to work on offense. However, the Nittany Lions retired their opponent in three batters. Penn State Harrisburg won the first game, 4-2.

Game 2

Caitlyn Katchur, Walker, and Kaylin Johnson scored a run. Tiley and Eliana Guerrieri got two hits each. Widener's pitchers allowed five hits and two runs, but they struck out two batters.

The Nittany Lions started the second game with a home run on the first batter. Widener made up for it with three consecutive groundouts. The Pride's defense stood strong in the top of the second as well. A double play finished the half-inning. Widener's offense matched what they did in the first inning by getting just one runner on base. The most successful inning for the Pride in game two was the third. With women on second and third base, Lawrence and Tiley hit back-to-back RBI singles to put the Pride ahead. The Nittany Lions recorded the final two outs after Widener took the lead. Widener led after three, 2-1.

Despite the Pride having a runner on third base in the bottom of the fourth, they were not able to score. Penn State Harrisburg tied the game in the top of the fifth on an RBI double. Similar to the first game, the sixth inning was all about the defenses. The only runner either team had was on a Widener single. The Pride got out of the top of the seventh after a line-out to third base. Penn State Harrisburg left two runners on base. Tied 2-2, Widener controlled their destiny in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on second and third base, Tiley walked it off on an RBI single. The Pride won the second game, 3-2. Widener and Penn State Harrisburg split the Monday afternoon series.

UP NEXT
The Pride will hit the road on Friday to Frederick, Md. They will take on their MAC rival, the Hood College Blazers, in a doubleheader. The games are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.