Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (March 20) – It was a story of two games during the Waynesburg softball team’s doubleheader on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon.
After dropping the opening contest of their twin bill against Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus by the final of 3-1, the Yellow Jackets rebounded with a 5-0 shutout win in game two. Waynesburg is now 2-6 on the year, while Penn State Fayette is 1-3.
Things started well for the Jackets in game one as junior pitcher Amanda Baughman breezed through the Roaring Lions’ batting order by retiring all nine hitters with four strikeouts.
After shutting down the Lions for three innings, Baughman gave the Jackets their first lead of the day in the bottom of the third by singling in right fielder Brittany Lyle, who opened the inning by legging out an infield single. It looked like the home team was poised for a big inning as it loaded the bases with just one out on the board. Unfortunately, an inning-ending double play ended the threat and gave a preview of how the rest of the game played out.
Waynesburg stranded eight base-runners and failed to produce on several run-scoring opportunities. The Roaring Lions, on the other hand, were much more opportunistic at the plate. Penn State Fayette scored an error-assisted run in the top of the fourth to tie the game and took the lead in the top of the fifth on a two-out, two-run single by Bethany Novotny that brought up the final score of 3-1.
Though it came in a loss, Baughman put together a solid day in the pitcher’s circle and at the plate. During her seven innings of work, she recorded a season-high nine strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter. She also went 2-4 at the plate with her team’s only RBI. Lyle also went 2-4 on the day.
Becca Williams got the win for Fayette by scattering seven hits over seven innings, striking out three and walking two.
In game two, junior Kristen Lautenschlager moved in from shortstop to get the start at pitcher. The switch was one of many, as the Jackets brought in seven new starters and had a different starter at every position on the field. Apparently the change in scenery was a positive one for Lautenschlager as she enjoyed the best pitching performance of her collegiate playing days.
She earned her first collegiate win, her first collegiate shutout and tossed her first collegiate complete game while yielding just two hits and a walk. She also struck out four batters and allowed just two base-runners to advance past first base.
The Waynesburg bats had their struggles once again, but all the offense they needed came by capitalizing on PSU Fayette mistakes.
In the bottom of the second, the Jackets scored two runs on no hits, three walks, two passed balls and a throwing error. Waynesburg did enjoy one big hit as freshman shortstop Racheal Moon tagged a triple into left field, before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Baughman, who was serving as the designated player.
Already up 3-0, Waynesburg put the finishing touches on the win thanks to an RBI single by pinch-hitter Lea Salerno and Trisha Klingensmith scoring from third on a wild pitch.
Lautenschlager also ended the game on a high note by retiring the last 10 batters she faced. Kasey Ruble took the loss for Fayette.
Waynesburg will try to keep their winning ways going on Tuesday, March 23, when they host Carlow for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled to be thrown 3 p.m.