ABINGTON, Pa.- The Immaculata University softball team was back in action as the visited Penn State – Abington for a doubleheader. Immaculata earned a split today, dropping game one 2-1, before winning game two 9-7. Immaculata junior centerfielder, Bryele Anthony had her 100^th career hit for Immaculata in the sixth inning.

Game One: Penn State-Abington 2, Immaculata 1

In game one, Penn State-Abington threatened in the bottom of the first getting a pair hits, before starter Emma Mercadante induced a flyout to centerfield to end the threat. Mercadante would hold Penn State Abington scoreless through the first four innings, before giving way to Nadia Bhuiyan in the fifth. Mercante allowed five hits, 0 runs, and struck out two.

Immaculata would open the scoring in the top of the sixth inning, when Kristin Carter walked with two outs. Steph Kelly pinch ran for Carter, stealing second base, and going to third on error on the throw. Bryele Anthony followed with an infield single to shortstop to score Kelly to give Immaculata a 1-0. This was also Anthony's 100^th career hit.

Penn State-Abington would tie the score in the bottom of the sixth inning and scored again in the bottom of the seventh inning to take game one 2-1.

Nadia Bhuiyan (1-2) took the loss for Immaculata going 2.2 innings, allowing six hits, two runs, one earned, and struck out two.

Game Two: Immaculata 9, Penn State – Abington 7

In game two, Immaculata opened the scoring early, as Jess Oldham and Peyton McGowan had back-to-back infield singles with two outs. Rylee Martin then singled to right field to score Oldham with the games first run.

Penn State – Abington would respond in the bottom of the second inning scoring three runs to take a 3-1 lead.

Immaculata would answer back in the top of the third inning, when Rylee Martin hit a two-run double to left field scoring Jess Oldham, and Kaitlyn Carter. Martin was thrown out a third trying to stretch the double into a triple. Nadia Bhuiyan would start the rally again with two outs with a single to center field. Emma Murphy and Isabella Pastella both singled to load the bases. Kristen Carter then hit an infield single off the pitcher's glove to score Bhuiyan to put Immaculata ahead 4-3. Emma Murphy and Isabella Pastella would then come around to score on consecutive wild pitches.

Penn State – Abington would not go quietly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to even the score at 6-6.

Immaculata would regain their lead in the top of the fifth inning. Emma Murphy and Isabella Pastella each drew walks. Kristen Carter laid down a perfect bunt that she beat out, and the catcher's throw went into right field that allowed pinch runner Steph Kelly to come around and score to put Immaculata head 7-6. Bryele Anthony then singled to left field to score Pastella, and then Kristin Carter came around to score on a sacrifice fly to center field by Jess Oldham as Immaculata took a 9-6 lead.

Penn State – Abington would get a run back in the bottom of the fifth to close the score to 9-7 but would come no closer. Immaculata pitcher Courtney Gable set Penn State – Abington down in order in the bottom of the sixth to close out the game called after six innings due to darkness.

Courtney Gable (2-1) earned the win in relief, going four innings for the Mighty Macs.

Up Next

The Immaculata University Softball team (5-5, 0-0 Atlantic East), will return home to host Marymount University on Saturday, March 16^th for a doubleheader at the Immaculata Softball Field at 12:00 PM for their home and Atlantic East Conference openers.