DUBOIS, PA. – A four-run fifth inning was the difference as No. 4 NHTI Lynx rallied past No. 5 Penn State Brandywine for a 4-3 victory at the USCAA Small College Softball World Series Monday afternoon at Heindl Memorial Field.
Five of the Lynx’ seven hits came during the decisive fifth inning, including a two-out, two-run double off the bat of Kabrina Roy (Merrimack) that broke a 2-2 tie, putting NHTI in front for good.
Facing all-American pitcher Tori Lemay (Manchester), Brandywine put plenty of runners on base and built a 2-0 lead through four-and-a-half innings of play. Lemay finished the afternoon scattering three hits over seven innings while striking out eight.
Masha Lange (Plaistow) opened up the scoring for NHTI on a single that drove in Lauren Mullen (Concord) who led off the inning with a single of her own and advanced on a wild pitch during Lange’s at-bat. Briana Whitcomb (Epsom) drove in the second Lynx run on a single to center that drove in Briana Connolly (Allenstown).
After NHTI went in front, Brandywine got one run back in the seventh when Alexa Anderson sent a home run over the left field fence.
The Lynx extend their winning streak to 24 games (28-5) and will play the top-seeded Cleary University on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Other Results from the day include: #7 Mississippi University for Women beating #10 Penn State Beaver 7-0, #9 Robert Morris University-Springfield beating #8 Penn State Schuylkill 12-3 (5 innings), #3 Carlow University beating #6 University of Maine-Presque Isle 8-0 (5 innings), #2 St. Mary of the Woods College beat #7 Mississippi University for Women 5-4, and #1 Cleary University beat #9 RMU-Springfield 9-0 (5 innings).
The game schedule for tomorrow is as follows:
10 a.m.: (Game 7): #5 PSU Brandywine vs. #10 PSU Beaver (Loser’s Bracket)
12 p.m.: (Game 8): #6 UMPI vs. #8 PSU Schuylkill (Loser’s Bracket)
2 p.m.: (Game 9): #2 St. Mary of the Woods vs. #3 Carlow (Winner’s Bracket Semifinal)
4 p.m.: (Game 10): #1 Cleary vs. #4 NHTI (Winner’s Bracket Semifinal)
6 p.m.: (Game 11): #7 Mississippi University for Women vs. Winner of Game 8 (Loser’s Bracket)
8 p.m.: (Game #12): #9 RMU-Springfield vs. Winner of Game 7 (Loser’s Bracket)
Michael Martineau is entering his fifth year as the student manager with NHTI’s softball team in 2018. As student manager, he assists with equipment needs during practice and games. He was awarded the NHTI Freshman Service Award in 2013-2014 school year. He also, student manages the NHTI men’s basketball team under Athletic Director/Head Coach Paul Hogan. He is also a game management work-study worker along with his duties as Student Assistant Sports Information Director.