Williamsport, PA - Softball earned a split in a non-conference doubleheader against Lycoming. Behind a dominant outing from
Jessica Koptcho (Mountain Top, Pa., Crestwood) in the opener and a balanced offensive attack, the Mounties rolled to a convincing win in game one before Lycoming used a big inning in game two to secure the split.
Game One: Koptcho Dominates as Mounties Roll Past Lycoming
The Mounties opened the day in commanding fashion, cruising to a 9-1 victory behind a complete-game performance from Jessica Koptcho.
After Lycoming answered an early Mounties run in the first, Mount Aloysius quickly took control and never looked back. Hanna Stedman (Washington, Pa., Trinity) was steady in the leadoff spot as she sparked the offense with an RBI double in the second, and the Mounties continued to apply pressure with a two-run third inning highlighted by RBI hits from Maddie Horvat (Rilton, Pa., Yough Senior HS) and another one from Stedman.
The turning point came in the fourth, when Alysha Cutri (Imperial, Pa., Bishop Canevin) launched her second bomb of the year, a two-run home run to extend the lead to 6-1 and give Koptcho plenty of breathing room.
From there, the Mounties continued to add on with strong situational hitting. Horvat and Sarah Henninger (DuBois, Pa., DuBois) each delivered sacrifice flies, while the Mounties tacked on two more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
After being perfect on Wednesday versus Carlow, Koptcho was on her A-game once again, allowing just three hits and one run over seven innings while striking out eight in a complete-game effort.
Offensively, the Mounties racked up 13 hits, with Stedman (two hits, two RBIs), Cutri (two hits, two RBIs), and Horvat (two hits, two RBIs) leading a balanced attack. Taylor Doyle (Blanchard, Pa., Central Mountain) was a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Henninger scored three runs at the top of the lineup.
Game Two: Big Third Inning Sinks Mounties in Game Two
In game two, Mount Aloysius was unable to carry over the momentum, falling 9-0 as Lycoming used an explosive third inning to take control.
After Lycoming scratched across a run in the second, the game turned in the third inning when the hosts erupted for eight runs. A combination of timely hits, a grand slam, and Mounties miscues allowed Lycoming to break the game open and seize a commanding lead.
Mount Aloysius struggled to respond offensively, managing just four hits across five innings. Ava Doyle (Blanchard, Pa, Central Mountain) led the way with a double, while Katelyn Ledwich (Johnstown, Pa, Conemaugh Valley), Raegan Lynn (Wampum, Pa., Shenango), and Morgan Hassen (Northern Cambria, Pa., Northern Cambria) each added a hit.
Softball will host Hilbert on Sunday at 2 & 4 PM and then will wrap up AMCC play at Penn State Altoona on Tuesday at 3 & 5 PM.
#GoMounties
