SB on cusp of playoff spot
Over the last two seasons, the Penn State Fayette softball team won a total of three games. After a split with Penn State DuBois Monday, Fayette is on the cusp of making the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) playoffs for the first time since 2019, and the team will know its destiny later today, weather-permitting.
This afternoon, Penn State Beaver (12-14 overall, 10-6 PSUAC) heads to Penn State New Kensington (5-13, 5-11). If Beaver wins at least one of the games, Fayette clinches a postseason berth. If New Kensington sweeps Beaver, then it and Fayette (11-15, 7-11) would be tied with the teams splitting their April 2nd doubleheader.
On Monday, knowing it had to win at least one game against Penn State DuBois (15-17, 12-6) to keep its playoff hopes alive, Fayette eliminated any doubt as it won the opener, 4-1.
"We entered today knowing we had to take at least one from a tough DuBois team," first-year head coach Alex Rohlf said. "We played with passion and came through with that in game one. Sammi (McGhee) got our offense started and her speed made all the difference in getting us the early lead. Then we made their pitcher work and were able to come through. Once again, Courtney (McKlveen) pitched a great game, and the defense had her back. It was a true team win."
McGhee (Hutchison, PA/Yough HS) walked to lead off the game and stole both second and third before scoring on a DuBois error. With one out in the third, McGhee singled and stole second. After advancing to third, she scored on a wild pitch to make the score 2-0.
In the fifth, Cassidy Uphold (Grantsville, MD/Northern Garrett HS) doubled McGhee in, and Uphold scored on a bases loaded walk to Brianna Hunt (Berlin, PA/Berlin Brothersvalley HS).
DuBois scored a run in the sixth, but McKlveen closed things out in the seventh to finish off DuBois. She went the distance and gave up seven hits and the one run.
In the nightcap, DuBois won 6-2. Fayette took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Lauren Mastowski (Dawson, PA/Frazier HS) singled in two runs, but DuBois scored four runs in the second and two in the seventh to put the game away.
"In game two, we lost a little bit of energy and couldn't quite hold the lead," Rohlf said.
Looking forward, the playoff situation would look much clearer if Beaver wins at least one game against New Kensington today. And while Fayette plays the waiting game, Rohlf has a positive approach.
"While we can't say we have clinched until after Tuesday's games, I feel confident that we would have the tie breakers we need," Rohlf said. "I believe we are playoff bound. That was my goal for the season, and it would be an incredible feeling to get in."
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.