Finizio Leads Crusaders in Doubleheader Romp of Penn College, 13-1, 11-3

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Susquehanna University's sophomore outfielder Lisa Finizio (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) batted a combined 4-for-5 to lead host Susquehanna past the Pennsylvania College of Technology, 13-1, 11-3, in a non-conference softball doubleheader at Sassafras Fields on April 8.

Susquehanna (18-4 overall) never trailed Penn College (5-5 overall) in either game but was tied at 3 after the second inning in Game 2. In Game 1, SU led, 9-0, after three innings before the Wildcats plated their first run. The Crusaders tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, putting the eight-run rule into effect after the top of the fifth.

The Crusaders jumped out to a 3-0 lead in Game 2 before Penn College tied the game up in the second inning. SU responded with a run in both the third and fourth innings and then put up six runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game by way of the eight-run rule again.

Finizio went 2-for-2 in Game 1 with a triple, two runs scored and a stolen base. In Game 2, she batted 2-for-3 with three runs, three runs batted in, a walk and an inside-the-park homerun in the bottom of the fifth.

Crusaders freshman Sarah Hoffman (Laceyville, Pa./Wyalusing Valley) started Game 1 and pitched a complete-game win, striking out seven batters in the five-inning contest. Hoffman scattered four hits and walked just one to improve her record to 6-2 this year.

Junior infielder Shelly Landis (Souderton, Pa./Christopher Dock Mennonite) went 2-for-3 in the opener with a double, a run scored and an RBI. Teammate and sophomore outfielder Courtney Miller (Kendall Park, N.J./South Brunswick) also batted 2-for-3 in that game with a double, two runs scored and an RBI.

Six other SU players recorded a hit in Game 1. Freshman outfielder Lauren Gilbert (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) knocked a double, scored a run and drove in two runs, while senior catcher Kelli Holota (Spring Lake, N.J./Livingston) smacked a double that brought two runs across the plate in her only official at bat. Holota also scored a run and walked.

SU's junior infielder Brennan Balfour (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth) went 1-for-4 in Game 1 with a triple and an RBI. Senior infielder Katie Connors (Laflin, Pa./Pittston Area) batted 1-for-1 with two walks, a double, two runs scored and two RBI.

Junior Bryn Whitmire (Lederach, Pa./Souderton Area) tossed a complete game in the nightcap to pick up her second win of the season. Whitmire struck out two batters and scattered eight hits while allowing just two earned runs. She also scored three runs in Game 1 despite going 0-for-2.

Balfour and junior infielder Sara Bartoletti (Wilkes-Barre, Pa./James M. Coughlin) each went 3-for-4 in Game 2. Balfour walked, legged out a triple, scored two runs and drove in three more. Bartoletti also tripled and scored twice.

Landis had another multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored, two RBI and a stolen base. Sophomore outfielder Sarah Dowzicky (Collegeville, Pa./Germantown Academy) also had a two-hit Game 2 (in three at bats) with an RBI and a stolen base.

Freshman infielder Jessica Sanabria (San Juan, Puerto Rico/Escuela Especializada Padre Rufo) and catcher Liz Beecroft (Frackville, Pa/North Schuylkill) both had two hits in the nightcap. Sanabria was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a sacrifice fly and a run scored, while Beecroft went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run.