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Kotch Tosses Shutout, Shepard Drives in Four as Lions Blank Hazleton 7–0
April 14, 2025

Kotch Tosses Shutout, Shepard Drives in Four as Lions Blank Hazleton 7–0

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Kotch Tosses Shutout, Shepard Drives in Four as Lions Blank Hazleton 7–0

Drums, Pa. – A dominant pitching performance by Brookelyn Kotch and a powerful day at the plate by Linda Shepard lifted Penn State New Kensington to a decisive 7–0 road win over Penn State Hazleton on Thursday afternoon.

The Lions struck early and never looked back. In the first inning, Linda Shepard launched a two-run home run over the left-field fence, scoring Olivia Waldrop and setting the tone for the game. Shepard added to her stellar outing in the fifth with a two-run double, driving in Kali Barnett and Jaiden Patterson to extend the lead to 4–0.

New Kensington continued to apply pressure offensively, tallying three more runs over the final two innings. Patterson doubled home a run in the sixth, Antonia Velasquez added an RBI double in the seventh, and Piper Zufall capped off the scoring with a run-scoring single.

Kotch (1–0) was lights out in the circle, earning the complete game shutout in her season debut. She scattered five hits across seven innings, struck out four, and didn't issue a single walk while facing 25 batters. Kotch also helped her own cause with three hits at the plate and a stolen base.

New Kensington totaled 14 hits in the win, with Patterson, Waldrop, and Shepard leading the way. Patterson went 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. Waldrop added two hits, including a double, and scored twice.

Penn State New Kensington Stats
Batting

Pitching