New Kensington Takes 8-7 Decision to Split

HAZLETON, Pa. - New Kensington softball split their doubleheader with Penn State Hazleton to end their time in the east with a great series of wins. 

Game one resulted in only one run on the part of Penn State Hazleton. New Kensington contributed two hits for the contest, while Hazleton produced five. Penn State Hazleton contributed one run in the second to finish the first game on top 1-0. 

Hazleton opened game two with one run in the first. New Kensington responded with two runs in the second to take the lead. Penn State Hazleton tied the game in the bottom of the frame with one more run. 

The women scored one run in the third before Hazleton extended their lead with two runs. They led 4-3 until the fourth when New Kensington produced one run to tie the game at four, followed by two more runs to take the 6-4 lead. 

Hazleton scored again in the fifth to bring the game within one run. New Kensington would extend their lead the following inning with two runs in the sixth. Hazleton also put up two runs in the sixth but New Kensington managed to hang on to finish the day with the 8-7 win. 

Game 1

Marissa Bruns (Gibsonburg, Ohio / Gibsonburg) started in the circle for New Kensington, she threw six innings allowing one run on five hits. Bruns walked one, striking out three. The opening frames went scoreless. A wild pitch in the bottom of the second drove in Penn State Hazleton for the sole run of the game despite seven innings of play. 

The New Kensington offense was unable to capitalize on 22 at-bats, leaving four left on base. Hazleton took the first contest 1-0. 

Game 2 

Marissa Bruns started game two for New Kensington throwing two innings and letting up two runs on five hits, walking one. Andrea Eiler (Eau Claire, Pa. / Moniteau) entered the game throwing five innings and giving up four runs on eight hits, walking one batter, striking out one.  

The scoring got underway with a Penn State Hazleton double to left field. Courtney Biswick (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills) reached on a fielder's choice for Taylor Hill (Milford, Pa. / Deleware Valley) to bring in the tying run. 

Marissa Bruns was then walked with bases loaded for Biswick to score the go-ahead run. Hazleton tied the game again off of a single to right field. Ashley Encarnacion (New York, N.Y. / Women's Academy of Excellence) grounded out to the pitcher in the top of the third to bring in Abby Kane (Murrysville, Pa. / Franklin Regional). 

Hazleton earned the go-ahead run on a ground out to shortstop for the 2 RBI. New Kensington was trailing 4-3 before a Bruns single would advance Illeana Ramirez (Locke, N.Y. / Moravia Central) to third while driving in Lianna Gonzalez (New York, N.Y. / Manhattan Hunter Science). 

New Kensington followed up with a Molly Collins (Verona, Pa. / Riverview) single to center field to put Bruns at third and score Ramirez. Collins stole second for Bruns to score and give New Kensington the two-run lead. 

Hazleton continued to fight into the bottom of the fifth, doubling to left field to bring the game to 6-5. Kane singled to center field to put runners in scoring position while bringing Bruns home. With bases loaded, Hill was walked to drive in Elliott Ferrent (Punxsutawney, Pa. / Punxsutawney), New Kensington leading 8-5. 

Hazleton closed in on a single to center field for the 2 RBI. The New Kensington defense held its ground, finishing with the 8-7 win to split the day. 

The women will return home to finish their season against Penn State Beaver on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Written by Matt Heavner, PSNK Athletics Communications Intern