BOX SCORE - GAME ONE
BOX SCORE - GAME TWO
PHOTO GALLERYKelsey Lineberger hit a pair of home runs in game one, and the SVC bats overpowered Penn State-Altoona in game two, earning a doubleheader sweep by scores of 9-8 and 9-1 in the home opener in Latrobe.
The Bearcats got off to a fast start in game one, as
Shelby Noel hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first to put the hosts in front, 3-0. Lineberger's first home run of the day came in the bottom of the 3rd, a solo shot that made it 4-0.
The score remained that way until the top of the 6th, when the Lions rallied for 5 runs on 6 hits, chasing SVC starter
Laken Lyon. Altoona added to its lead in the next inning on a Summer Feathers double, making the score 6-4.
SVC made the most of its final opportunity at the plate. In the bottom of the 7th,
Emily Duerr, who had come on to pitch in relief, singled with one out. Lineberger then sent a shot over the fence in straightaway center field, tying the game, 6-6.
The game went to extra innings, using the international tiebreaker rule, with a runner placed on second base to start the inning. The Lions struck quickly, as Mikayla Teel popped a bunt over the head of Duerr, who was charging the plate, moving the runner to third. One out later, another bunt single, this one by Lily Glunt, made it 7-6 Lions. Duerr was able to get out of the inning with no further damage, and SVC responded in the bottom of the inning.
Jenna LoVasco hit a sharp grounder to short, and placed runner
Rachel Harenchar broke for third as the throw went to first. The throw back to third to try to get Harenchar was off the mark, allowing the runner to score and tie the game. SVC was unable to add another run, so the game went to the 9th inning tied, 7-7.
Altoona again managed to plate their placed runner, taking an 8-7 advantage into the bottom of the 9th. With
Sarah Swettlen placed on second to open the inning,
Courtney Patterson successfully bunted the runner to third. After a walk to Noel, Duerr singled home Swettlen to tie the game, moving Noel to third. Lineberger was then intentionally walked, bringing up
Ally Panzella with the bases loaded. Panzella delivered a single to left, driving home the winning run.
Duerr worked 3.2 innings in relief for the victory, giving up just one earned run.
In game two, the Lions scored a run in the top of the 1st, but again the Bearcats answered back in the bottom half of the inning. Swettlen led off with a triple. After Noel walked, Swettlen scored when Noel attempted to steal second and the throw went into center field. Duerr then singled home Noel to make it 2-1, Saint Vincent.
Two innings later, SVC got a one out double from Lineberger, followed by a Panzella single. Breanna Wallace then doubled just inside the left field foul line, scoring Lineberger. Lyon's sacrifice fly brought home Panzella to make the score 4-1, and Harenchar followed with an RBI double. After Swettlen singled and Patterson walked to load the bases, Noel doubled home a pair of runs, giving SVC a 7-1 lead.
In the bottom of the 5th, Harenchar hit a one-out double to left center, and moved to third on a Patterson single. Noel singled home Harenchar to make it an 8-1 game, and Duerr ended the game with a single to center that brought home Patterson, invoking the 8-run rule.
Samantha Emert went the distance in the circle to get the win, giving up just three hits.
Saint Vincent is now 8-2 on the season, and is slated to return to action on Saturday (March 21) in Steubenville, OH, facing Franciscan University at 1PM in a twinbill.
