Mont Alto Walks Off in Extras to Complete Sweep over PSU New Kensington

By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director

MONT ALTO, Pa. – The Penn State Mont Alto softball team beat New Kensington in convincing fashion by a 10-7 score and used a late inning rally in the second game on Tuesday to walk-off and sweep the visitors. With the 3-2 victory, Mont Alto improves to a conference-best 10-2 overall and are 9-1 within the PSUAC West.

Penn State Mont Alto 10, Penn State New Kensington 7 (F)

• McKenna Sas (Canyon County, Calif. / Canyon County) continued to swing the hot bat on Tuesday as the freshman outfielder finished 3-for-4 with a double, triple and four RBIs. Her double and triple came with runners in scoring position for Mont Alto.
• After trailing 3-0 through the first two innings of play, Mont Alto's offence exploded four three runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings of play. Sas roped a triple down the right field line that made it 8-3 and Emily Sicinski (Westminster, Md. / Westminster) reached on a fielder's choice to drive in another run for the Nittany Lions.
• Natalie Heltebran had a good game for the visitors driving in a three-run homer.
• Although the scoreline appeared closer, New Kensington clawed back four runs off starter Kirsten Dell (Hanover, Pa. / New Oxford) in the final two innings for the 10-7 final. Dell wasn't hit hard until the final two innings as she gave up eight hits to go with her six strikeouts.

Penn State Mont Alto 3, Penn State New Kensington 2 (F-8)

• Both pitchers that saw time for Mont Alto absolutely dealt as Katie McCauslin (Biglerville, Pa. / Biglerville) worked 6.1 innings and allowed just four hits, while giving up both runs. Emily Bittinger (Waynesboro, Pa. / Waynesboro Area) entered with runners on base in her relief and instantly came up with a clutch strikeout. She also impressed holding down the fort in extra innings.
• After Brooklyn Wagner (Newville, Pa. / Big Spring) lined out to make it two outs with the bases loaded, Kirsten Dell (Hanover, Pa. / New Oxford) walked it off for her team lining a single to the right field gap.
• Wagner had a good afternoon at the plate finishing 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI in the sixth inning, which tied it up at two runs apiece.

The Nittany Lions return to action on Wednesday, April 7 with a home doubleheader against PSU Greater Allegheny.