READING, Pa. - Widener softball struggles in two losses to the Golden Wolves of Alvernia. 

The Pride fall to 7-13 in the regular season and 1-5 in conference play. 

BY THE NUMBERS: GAME ONE 

• Taylor Bell had a standout day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double, 3 RBIs, 1 run scored, and also drawing a walk, finishing with a 2.500 OPS. 

• Sam McCarthy provided key offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and scoring 2 runs, while also playing solid defense at first base with 4 putouts. 

• Jocelin Mayorga drove in a run with a double as part of a 1-for-3 performance at the plate and also contributed as a pitcher, working 2.1 innings out of the bullpen with 1 strikeout. 

• Elizabeth Carney added an RBI single as part of a 1-for-4 game while also recording 2 assists defensively at second base. 

BY THE NUMBERS: GAME TWO 

• Caitlyn Katchur turned in a solid performance in the circle, going the distance with a complete game, allowing 3 earned runs on 8 hits while striking out 3 and walking just one. 

• Alyssa Gomez drove in Widener's only run of the game with a two-out RBI single in the fourth inning, ending the day 1-for-3 at the plate. 

• Katelyn Tong recorded a double in a 1-for-3 performance and added a leadoff extra-base hit to spark a rally attempt. 

• Sam McCarthy reached base once and added four putouts at first base, continuing her defensive consistency. 

• Blake Shuler led the defense with 3 putouts and 2 assists at shortstop, helping keep Alvernia in check during key innings. 

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME ONE 

• Widener fell behind early as Alvernia plated six runs in the bottom of the first inning, taking advantage of four walks and timely hits to jump out to a big lead. Despite the early deficit, Widener responded quickly in the top of the second as Taylor Bell delivered the big hit, clearing the bases with a three-run double to left-center, cutting the deficit to 6-3. Sam McCarthy added a leadoff double in the third, but the Pride were unable to push her across. Alvernia added two more runs in the bottom of the third, extending their lead to 8-3 heading into the fourth. 

•  Widener continued to battle, chipping away at the lead with a run in the fifth when Jocelin Mayorga doubled to score McCarthy, who had reached earlier with a single and moved into scoring position. In the sixth, Elizabeth Carney came through with an RBI single to bring home Leah Digandomenico, trimming the margin to 8-5. Bella Smith and Mayorga combined for 5.2 innings of relief, limiting Alvernia to just two runs after the first inning. However, Widener's offense was held in check over the final two frames, and Alvernia held on for the 8-5 win. 

HOW IT HAPPENED IN GAME TWO 

• Both teams came out sharp defensively, trading zeros through the first two innings. Caitlyn Katchur retired the first six batters she faced and kept the Alvernia offense in check with a pair of strikeouts through the early frames. The Golden Wolves finally broke through in the bottom of the third, stringing together three hits and a walk to score two runs. Despite the early rally, Katchur bounced back to end the inning without further damage. Widener responded quickly in the top of the fourth, as Katchur helped herself with a leadoff single, then stole second and advanced to third on a fielder's choice. Alyssa Gomez came through with a two-out RBI single to bring Katchur home and cut the deficit to 2-1. 

•  Alvernia tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to make it 3-1, using a pair of hits and a stolen base to manufacture offense. Widener threatened again in the top of the seventh after Katelyn Tong led off with a double to the gap, but the Pride were unable to bring her around, grounding out twice and flying out to end the game. Katchur went the distance in the circle, tossing a complete game with just one walk and three strikeouts while limiting the Golden Wolves to three runs. Despite strong defensive play and timely pitching, Widener's offense was held to just three hits, and the Pride came up short in Game 2 of the doubleheader. 

UP NEXT 

The Pride step away from conference play for a matchup against the Devils of FDU-Florham on Wednesday, April 2nd. First pitch is at 3pm.