LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University softball team (29-15, 12-6 PSAC Central) locked up with Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Central Division rival Bloomsburg University (37-6, 17-1 PSAC Central) and the two teams didn't disappoint as they split a thrilling-doubleheader today.
Lock Haven rallied twice in game one and edged Bloomsburg, 4-3 in 12 innings. Bloomsburg responded with a 3-1 victory in game two.
The Bald Eagles game-one win was powered by pitcher
Bekah Slattery (Douglasville, Pa./Daniel Boone), who was nothing short of fantastic. Her dominance in the circle helped give Bloomsburg its first conference loss all season.
In game one, Slattery was perfect through six and went the distance, pitching all 12 innings on the way to the win. She scattered four hits and struck out seven. Slattery allowed just two walks.
Lock Haven and Bloomsburg were stilled tied at 0-0 as the two teams headed to the 10
th inning. With the international tiebreaker in effect to start the 10
th, the two teams exchanged a run apiece.
In the 11
th inning Bloomsburg scored twice, but again, Lock Haven rallied for two more runs of its own and the two teams were tied at 3-3 heading to the 12
th.
Slattery pitched a 1-2-3 inning that stranded a runner at third in the 12
th.
It also gave Lock Haven an opportunity to win and the Bald Eagles did just that, thanks to a perfect squeeze play.
Moriah Lindsey (Woolrich, Pa./Central Mountain) laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line, which allowed
Becca Caputo (Williamsport, Pa./Jersey Shore) to score, thanks to a strong slide home.
Lindsey, Caputo
Jodi Weaknecht (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) and
McKenna Garlock (Three Springs, Pa./Southern Huntingdon) all had two hits in game one.
In game two, Bloomsburg scored three runs on five hits and held on for the 3-1 win, despite seven Lock Haven hits.
LHU's run came early as Garlock doubled home Weaknecht in the first.
Garlock was 2 for 4.
Rachel Mouillesseaux (Endicott, N.Y./Union Endicott) struck out six and allowed just five hits on the way to a tough-luck loss.
LHU wraps up PSAC Central play tomorrow (Saturday, April 23) at Clarion (1/3 p.m.) and closes the regular season on Sunday (April 24) at home vs. Goldey-Beacom (1/3 p.m.) in non-conference action.