LHU softball knocks off #20 West Chester in first home game in two years
LOCK HAVEN, PA – Playing for the first time this season since March 12 and the first time at home on Lawrence Field in nearly two years, the Lock Haven University softball team (1-5, 1-5 PSAC East) on Tuesday earned a thrilling split with nationally-ranked West Chester University as the two teams locked up in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action.
Lock Haven knocked off the No. 20 Golden Rams 5-1 in game one, but West Chester rallied late in game two on the way to a 7-4 extra-inning victory (8 inn.).
Tremendous team defense and stellar pitching from Jada Schellhammer (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua) were a big part of the game-one victory.
Schellhammer dominated in the circle and scattered five hits over seven innings. She struck out three and didn’t surrender a walk. Schellhammer was certainly backed up by strong defense throughout as the young Bald Eagle team played well for the first time this season on the home field.
Riley McClellan (Granville Summit, Pa./Troy) was 2 for 2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Morgan Karasek (Bangor, Pa./Bangor) went 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI.
In game one, Lock Haven took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second and the Bald Eagles scored four more runs in the fourth to break open the game on the way to the upset-victory in the opening game of the doubleheader.
Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh of game two, Haley Lestician (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence) tied the game with one swing of the bat as she homered to center field.
The Golden Rams however found some late-game magic of their own and plated three runs in the top of the eighth. The three runs in extras proved to be the difference.
Summer Peters (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) was impressive in game two and went 3 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. Lestician finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs as the duo carried the strong offensive outing.
Tuesday marked the Bald Eagles first home game since April 27, 2019. They will be right back on Lawrence Field Wednesday at 2/4 p.m. when Lock Haven hosts Kutztown University in a PSAC East doubleheader.
