SB wins first two of Rohlf era

The Penn State Fayette softball team picked up its first two wins of the season, and the first two wins of the Alex Rohlf era, as the Nittany Lions swept a double header at Thiel College Tuesday.

"These first wins mean so much to the girls and me," said Rohlf. "It shows all the time and effort we put in over the winter really paid off.  Everything just clicked today, and the energy was incredible.  These were two huge team wins, and it is difficult to even think about picking players of the games because every single player contributed in some way."

Fayette (2-4) won the opener 6-2 and won the nightcap in extra innings, 6-4.

In the opener, the game was scoreless until Fayette scored four runs in the sixth.  Cassidy Uphold (Grantsville, MD/Northern Garrett HS), Lauren Mastowski (Dawson, PA/Frazier HS) and Kelsey Holp (Grindstone, PA/Frazier HS) singled to load the bases with no outs.  Courtney McKlveen (Ligonier, PA/Ligonier HS) followed with a two-run single to score Uphold and Mastowski.  After two outs, Emily Conklin (Carmichaels, PA/Carmichaels HS) singled in Holp and McKlveen.

The Nittany Lions added two more runs in the top of the seventh on a two-run double by Brianna Hunt (Berlin, PA/Berlin Brothersvalley HS) to make the score 6-0 before Thiel (5-3) scored its two runs in the bottom of the inning.

"It took us a little while to get going, and that big four-run inning really propelled us," Rohlf said. "Hitting was contagious there and we were able to build a nice lead.  Then Hayley (White) shut the door on the mound with some great defense behind her."

McKlveen led Fayette with three singles while Uphold, Mastowski, Sammi McGhee (Hutchison, PA/Yough HS) and Holp all had two singles as part of the 13-hit attack.

White (Cumberland, MD/Allegany HS) (1-2) went the distance in the circle, giving up the two runs and seven hits.  She struck out three batters.

In the second game, the Nittany Lions came back twice from one-run deficits before scoring two runs in the eighth to win the game.

Down 1-0 going into the second, Fayette scored twice to take a 2-1 lead.  Hunt scored on a bunt by Carissa Cyphert (Scottdale, PA/Southmoreland HS) and McGhee singled in Hunt.

Thiel took a 3-2 lead in the third, but the Nittany Lions scored twice in the fifth to take a 4-3 lead.  Fayette loaded the bases on two singles by Conklin and McGhee and an attempted fielder's choice by McKlveen.  Uphold followed with an RBI single to score Conklin and McGhee scored on a ground out by Mastowski. 

Thiel tied the score in the bottom of the fifth and the 4-4 score held through the seventh. 

With extra innings played under international tie breaker rules, Fayette started the eighth with Holp on second.  After an out, Hunt doubled down the right field line to score her.  Two batters later, Hunt scored on a Conklin ground out to close the scoring.  Thiel started their half of the eighth with a runner on second, but McKlveen (1-2) retired the next three batters to close out the game.

Thiel finished with 12 hits off McKlveen, but she was able to keep the hosts off balance.

Fayette had 12 hits with Hunt (single and double) leading the way while Conklin, Uphold and McGhee each recorded two singles.  Holp added a double.

"Timely hitting was key in the second game," Rohlf said. "We got down a few times but were able to keep battling back and finally got the win in extras.  We made key plays when we needed to."

Fayette will ride the momentum of the doubleheader sweep into conference action as it opens Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) Friday.

"It was great to get some wins under our belt before heading into conference play," Rohlf said. "We are finally firing on all cylinders.  It's going to be a big weekend and I am ready for us to make our mark."

Fayette opens Friday with a double header at Penn State Greater Allegheny (1-5) with first pitch at 3:30 p.m.  On Saturday, Fayette hosts Penn State Mont Alto (4-5) with action scheduled to begin at 12 p.m.

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