Softball Claims Victories on Senior Day

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. – On Penn State New Kensington softball's Senior Day, the women claimed victories against Penn State Greater Allegheny, 5-4 and 11-7.

The score remained untouched up until the third inning during the first game. At this point, New Kensington brought in one run by Nicole Skokowski (Oil City, Pa.). After Skokowski was hit by the pitch, she made it to base and advanced to second along the way. Senior Becca Wilhelm (Upper Burrell, Pa.) singled and allowed Skokowski to score. This put New Kensington up 1-0, but not for long.

Greater Allegheny scored one in the fourth inning and one in the fifth, which put them in the lead, 2-1. It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth when New Kensington tied up the score.

Teresa DeSimone (Spring Church, Pa.) singled and stole second. With a double from Calle Zmenkowski (Cheswick, Pa.), DeSimone scored. The score remained 2-2 until Greater Allegheny pulled ahead 4-2 in the top of the last inning.

Abigail Michelucci (Canonsburg, Pa.) and Zmenkowski both got onto base during this inning. With two outs and two players on base, Lauren Torgent (Brackenridge, Pa.) was the Lions' last chance for a win. Torgent homered and snagged the win for New Kensington.

Torgent had three RBIs from her homerun. Michelucci pitched for the whole game and got seven strikeouts.

The second game was just as triumphant as the first.

In the first inning, Michelucci scored when senior Erika Finn (Upper Burrell, Pa.) singled to left field. This put New Kensington up 1-0, but that quickly changed after Greater Allegheny scored three in the top of the second. New Kensington was still able to get one run in the bottom of the inning, even though it didn't give them the lead back. Senior Brittney Wolford (Lower Burrell, Pa.) singled to left field and scored soon after. Greater Allegheny was ahead 3-2 heading into the third inning.

New Kensington took back the lead, 5-3, in the bottom of the third.

Michelucci doubled and got on base. Finn also doubled, bringing in Michelucci. Torget was the third Lion to double and Finn scored. Torgent also scored during the inning.

New Kensington pushed ahead even further in the bottom of the fourth. Scoring five, the Lions boosted their lead to 10-3.

Michelucci and Zmenkowski singled back to back and Michelucci scored with a single to right field by Finn. Soon after, Zmenkowski scored when Torget singled. Wolford then brought in Finn, and senior Alyssa Slancauskas (Lower Burrell, Pa.) singled, allowing Torgent and Wolford to score. Greater Allegheny scored two in the fifth inning. The score was 10-5 approaching the sixth.

New Kensington scored their last run in the sixth. Torgent was able to score when Wolford doubled to left field. Greater Allegheny brought in two more runs in the last inning, but were four shy of a win.

Finn led in RBIs, three, while Torgent, Wolford, and Slancauskas each had two. Michelucci, Finn, Torget, and Wolford all doubled. Zmenkowski struck out six batters while pitching for seven innings.

New Kensington's last games of the season will be played tomorrow April 23. They are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Written by Janet Surma