Erie, PA - The Mount Aloysius softball team split an important doubleheader with first-place Penn State-Behrend over the weekend. They lost a heartbreaker in game 1, falling 3-2 in 9 innings, but came back to win game 2 by a score of 5-3.

Game 1 saw strong pitching performances from each team, which led to a close extra innings finish. Mount Aloysius used a team effort in the game, as 4 different pitchers were used, who allowed 3 runs, all unearned. Emily Cochran (Natrona Heights, PA/Highlands) started for the Mounties. She allowed 1 unearned run to score in the first inning on an error with two outs. Cochran was able to keep Penn State-Behrend scoreless for the remaining two innings, as she worked her way out of two jams before being relieved in the fourth. Cochran allowed the one unearned run on 4 hits and 2 walks.

The Mounties were able to respond to the Behrend run with one of their own in the top of the second. Lydia DeFazio (Harrison City, Pa/Penn Trafford) doubled to right to start the inning, and after advancing to third on a passed ball, was able to score on an RBI groundout by Kayla Hopkins (Canonsburg, PA/Canon McMillan). In the fourth, Cochran was replaced by Kara Pisczek (Johnstown, Pa/Conemaugh Township). Pisczek was able to throw three scoreless innings, allowing two singles and two walks. 

With the score tied at 1 in the final inning, the Mounties were able to push the run across with more help from the Behrend defense. Hopkins led off the inning and reached on an error. She was lifted for a pinch runner, Courtney Link (Ebensburg, PA/Bishop Carroll), who after a Cochran single and wild pitch, scored when Pisczek reached on another error in the infield. The Mounties were unable to add on any more and it would be costly. Pisczek returned to the circle in the 7th and saw the lead off batter reach on an error. Another error saw runners move to 1st and 2nd and Pisczek was replaced by Nina Shatzer (Saint Thomas, PA/James Buchanan). Shatzer was able to retire three batters in a row, however the runners had moved up on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game. 

The Mounties threatened in the 8th inning, but were unable to push another run across. Karlie Clark (Yukon, PA/Yough) entered the game to pitch the extra frames. She made quick work of the Lions in the 8th, but saw the winning run score in the 9th. The AMCC uses an International Tie-breaking system in extra innings which places a runner on 2nd base to start each inning. Penn State Behrend took advantage of this in the 9th and used a sacrifice bunt and an RBI groundout to win the game.

Despite not allowing a hit in 1 and 2/3 innings of work, Clark was saddled with the loss, moving her record to 6-3 on the year. Emily Cochran finished 2-4 as the Mounties were only able to muster 5 hits in the game.

Things did not get better for Clark as she started the second game. She pitched 2 and 2/3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. The runs, 3 of the hits and 2 of the walks came in the 3rd inning as she was replaced by Shatzer with the runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs. Shatzer was able to record the final out right away to end the inning. She went on to shut down the Lions for the final 4 innings, allowing the Mounties to comeback from the deficit. 

The Mount Aloysius offense woke up in the 5th, as they exploded for 4 runs after collecting 3 hits in their first 4 at bats. Brianna Benscoter (Bloomsburg, Pa/Bloomsburg) led off the inning with a single down the left field line. She moved to second on a walk by Abby Reitz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim) and scored after an error on a sacrifice bunt by Link. After Link stole 2nd base, Samantha Smith (Trafford, PA/Penn Trafford) singled up the middle to score the tying run. Smith stole second and Kate Little (Asheville, PA/Penn Cambria) reached on a fielders choice that saw Link score the go ahead run. Later in the inning Shatzer helped her own cause, with a 2 out RBI single to score Smith.

The Mounties were able to tack onto their lead in the 7th. Little drew a one out walk and scored after an error on a double by Kayla Hopkins. Shatzer finished the game allowing only 3 hits over the final 4 and 1/3. She retired 8 straight to close the game and pick up her 3rd victory of the season.

With the split, the Mounties are now 22-7 with an 8-2 record in conference play. They will return to action at home on Tuesday as they host Pitt-Greensburg, beginning at 3 pm.