SB, Rohlf open new era with losses to St. Vincent

The Penn State Fayette softball team opened its season Thursday with a double header at St. Vincent, and although the Nittany Lions lost both games, first-year head coach Alex Rohlf was happy to finally get the season going.

"It was amazing to finally get the chance to take the field with this group," Rohlf said. "We have worked so hard to get prepared and had these games canceled and rescheduled twice.  Even with the outcomes, there were a lot of positives in these games."

Fayette dropped the opener, 9-1.  Haley Bitko took a perfect game into the fifth inning for St. Vincent, but Lauren Mastowski (Dawson, PA/Frazier HS) hit a leadoff homer run to end Bitko's bid for a perfect game and a shutout.

St. Vincent won the nightcap, 5-0.  Brianna Hunt (Berlin, PA/Berlin Brothersvalley HS) looked best for the Nittany Lions with two singles.  Masterowski, Cassidy Uphold (Grantsville, MD/Northern Garrett HS), Kelsey Holp (Grindstone, PA/Frazier HS) and Carissa Cyphert (Scottdale, PA/Southmoreland HS) added singles for Fayette.

After stellar play in the outfield by Uphold, Minerd (Uniontown, PA/Albert Gallatin HS) and Conklin (Carmichaels, PA/Carmichaels HS), Rohlf pointed out their effort after the game.

"Cassidy, Lauran and Emily all played stellar defense, making many great plays and really keeping us in the games," Rohlf said.

Although Fayette has a quick turnaround as it hosts Grove City Saturday in its home opener, Rohlf said the team will work hard to improve by then.

"The biggest thing to work on is continuing to find our swings and having good approaches at the plate," she said. "These are things that will only come with seeing more pitches and getting comfortable at the plate."

First pitch for Saturday's double header is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

For more information on the Penn State softball team, go tohttps://www.psfathletics.com/sports/sball/index or follow the team on Instagram @fayetteathletics.