Erie, Pa – The Penn State Behrend Lions Softball team added two wins to their 2024 season record as they defeated Hilbert in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 9, at the Penn State Behrend Softball Field. These wins bring Behrend’s record to 14-7 overall, and 3-0 in the AMCC. The Lions have also accomplished an eight-game winning streak.

Noteworthy moments for the team include Senior pitcher Kayla Lindberg, of Geneva High School, reaching her 200th strikeout of her career during the second game of the doubleheader. In addition, Maria Jones, of Johnsonburg High School, logged 7-for-8 with five runs, four RBIs, a triple, and a double.

Game One

Behrend dominated the game, defeating Hilbert 16-4. Behrend was able to get a pair of triples, a home run, 13 RBIs, a sacrifice bunt, a sacrifice fly, two stolen bases, and six walks, and each team was able to keep the wheels turning during the final two innings by putting a 12-run margin on the board.

Jones made a 4-for-r with three runs, a triple RBI, and a stolen base. When the score was tied at 4-all after one and a half innings, Behrend was able to quickly take control of the game with a run in the second inning. Jones also hit a triple to center field to allow Britney Shaw, of St. Marys, to make a go-ahead run. 

Five singles in a row with one out in the bottom of the third inning made Behrend be able to score seven runs, which led Behrend to a 12-4 lead. Moving on to the fourth inning, Jocelyn McNany, of Seneca Valley High School, scored her fifth home run to score a pair of runs.

Game Two

During the first two strikeouts of the first inning, Lindberg reached her career milestone of 200 career strikeouts. She also was able to retire 15 of the last 16 batters in the contest, which made her be able to have her third straight shutout of the season, and additionally finished with five strikeouts, and only gave up one hit in the game.

1. Jones made a 3-for-4 performance with a double, and McNany also accomplished a double and triple for her two hits of the game. Jones’ performance did not stop there, as she had further accomplishments during the game.

“In the opening frame, M. Jones singles and advanced on an error by third base before scoring on the ensuing triple by McNany for a 1-0 lead.” Penn State Behrend Athletics said on their website. 

Meghan Petitte, of Garaway High School, was able to get into a position to help the team score, which led McNany to home plate with a triple. Sierra Williams, of Grove City High School, batted a sacrifice fly to center field, which made Petitte be able to up the score to 3-0. The Lions scored four runs in five hits during the bottom of the sixth inning.

In addition, Behrend logged three singles, and back-to back-doubles in the frame, and Jones was able to double down the left-field line to score three runs. In addition, Jones also scored the final run that resulted from a McNany double. 

*Information, photography, and graphics for this article were provided courtesy of Penn State Behrend Athletics. *