WEST CHESTER, Pa. – The Lock Haven University softball team (0-2, 0-2 PSAC East) opened its season against a formidable opponent in No. 21 West Chester University.

West Chester won game one 11-10 and took game two 9-0 (5 inn).

Lock Haven, the 2019 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) softball champions, gave nationally ranked No. 21 West Chester all it could handle to open the season.

Today's doubleheader marked the season opener for both teams. It also marked the first PSAC contest for both teams.

Game 1 vs. West Chester: L, 11-10   
After finding themselves in an early hole, the Bald Eagles rallied in a big way and battled nationally-ranked and perennial power West Chester through the offensive slugfest that was game one. The two teams combined for 21 runs on 19 total game-one hits and in the end host-WCU edged out Lock Haven, 11-10 in the 2021 season opener for both teams.

Casey Carpenter (Springbrook, Pa./North Pocono) started the scoring in the top of the first inning when she knocked a two-out single through the left side to bring Summer Peters (Lancaster, Pa./ Lampeter-Strasburg) home. Peters reached previously on a single of her own.  
 
The offense continued for LHU in the top of second, as the Bald Eagles loaded the bases. Freshman, Delaney Good (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) sent a double down the line for her first career RBI as a Bald Eagle. Good eventually came around to score on a wild pitch to extend
the LHU lead to 4-2.
 
Mikayla Ruppert (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty) opened the top of the fifth inning with a single followed by another single from Riley McClellan (Granvillesummit, Pa./ Troy) to put two on. Haley Lestician (Lawrenceville, N.J./ Lawrence) doubled down the line to bring both runners home. Good roped a double to left center bringing home Sara Gsell (Waynesboro, Pa./ Waynesboro) to tie the game at nine.
 
Riley McClellan (Granvillesummit, Pa./Troy) went 2 for 3 with three runs scored and two RBIs. Good and Carpenter both went 2 for 4 in game one, as Good registered two RBIs and Carpenter logged an RBI of her own to go along with a run scored.
 
Game 2 vs West Chester: L, 9-0 (5 inn)
West Chester continued to swing a hot bat in game two jumping out to a four-run cushion through two innings.
 
Lock Haven was able to put runners in scoring position on a double from Ruppert and walk from Madison Mathes (Hammonton, N.J./ Hammonton) in the top of second inning to try and cut into the West Chester lead.
 
LHU once again, threatened again in the top of the fourth inning by getting two runners on by way of base on balls with just one out. WCU was able to get out the jam with timely defense and strong pitching.
 
Recording a hit during game two was Lestician, Sydney Arrigale (Blackwood, N.J./ Highland Regional) and Carpenter.
 
*Please Note: West Chester was ranked No. 21 in the most recent edition of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II national poll, which was released today, shortly before first pitch of game one.
 
UP NEXT:
Lock Haven will turn around quick and be back in action this Friday, March 12 on the road against Kutztown. The doubleheader is slated to start at 2:30 p.m. with game two directly after that.