Softball sweeps Penn State Altoona in home opener

MUNHALL, Pa. --- Carlow University softball swept Penn State Altoona in its home opener Tuesday night at West Field.

The Celtics (5-13) improved to 3-1 in AMCC action, while the Lions (9-10) ended up 2-2.

Game 1: W, 3-0

Carlow started the evening off with a 3-0 win behind a two-hit shutout from pitcher Clara Niglio. The senior struck out two and walked one in the complete game performance.

Carlow scored an unearned run in the fourth after McKenna Pierce hit a one-out single to left field and Megan Pollinger reached on an error.

The Lions got the lead runner in the next at-bat before Bella Cartieri singled up the middle to bring Pollinger around.

Carlow scored its next two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Jillian Durst tabbed a leadoff single to left field, and a ground out moved her over to second base. Maddie Bowes hit a two-out single up the middle to score Durst, and Pierce pounded a double to left field to bring in Carlow's final run of the game.

Niglio retired the side in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings to prevent the Lions from reaching base and helped secure the win.

Pierce went 3 for 3 with an RBI and Cartieri hit 2 for 3 with an RBI to lead the Celtics at the plate.

Alyssa Fisher doubled, and Gianna Hoppel recorded the second hit for Altoona. Josselyn Nau suffered the loss after allowing two earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in six innings.

Game 2: W, 5-4

The Celtics pulled off a nailbiter in the nightcap, staving off a Lions' comeback in the top of the seventh for the win.

Pierce got things going for Carlow in her first at-bat of the game, slamming a two-run home run over the right field fence to put the Celtics ahead 2-0 in the first.

Altoona cut Carlow's lead in half in the top of the third. Brooke Colledge hit a one-out triple to right field and a single to right centerfield in the next at-bat allowed her to easily score.

Pierce brought in another run for Carlow in the bottom half of the frame. With two outs and runners on the corners, she singled up the middle to put the Celtics ahead, 3-1, but the Lions got out of a bases-loaded jam to stay within striking distance.

A sliding catch up the middle by Francesca Beighley got Carlow out of the fourth before the Lions retired the Celtics in order in the bottom of the inning.

A double and back-to-back singles saw the Lions once again trailing by one in the top of the sixth.

Pollinger led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple to centerfield and took advantage of a wild pitch that resulted in a walk to slide home and give Carlow a 4-2 advantage.

A stolen base and another wild pitch put Rosa DePrater on third, and a two-out double to right centerfield from Durst gave Carlow a 5-2 lead heading into the final inning.

An error and catcher's interference put runners on immediately for the Lions in the seventh.

A walk loaded the bases, but when the next batter thought she also drew a walk, catcher Pierce caught the player on first base too far off the bag and picked her off, tallying Carlow's first out.

A single to left field brought in Altoona's first unearned run, and a fielder's choice scored the second unearned run for the Lions after Carlow made a pitching change.

The final Altoona batter attempted a bunt to tie the game but hit the batted ball on her way to first and was called out for interference, ending the game in favor of the Celtics.

Pollinger earned the win in the circle, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 5.1 innings of work. Tatum Wiggs allowed a hit, a walk and two unearned runs in an inning, and Niglio earned her first save of the season after recording the final two outs of the game.

Pierce went 2 for 3 with three RBI, Pollinger hit 2 for 3, and Bowes went 2 for 2 at the plate.

Karli Storm went 2 for 3, and Jordan Krawcion and Fisher each hit 2 for 4 for the Lions. Brianna Bone was saddled with the loss after allowing three earned runs on five hits with a walk and a strikeout in three innings. Madalyn Maynard tossed the final three innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout.

The Celtics travel to Hilbert College for a 1 p.m. AMCC doubleheader April 13.