Softball
Widener 1, Lebanon Valley 0 (9 innings) – Game 1
Lebanon Valley 8, Widener 0 (6 innings) – Game 2

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

CHESTER, Pa. – Opening Commonwealth Conference action Saturday afternoon, Lebanon Valley softball split a doubleheader with Widener. The Pride took the first game with a 1-0 win in nine innings, while the Dutchmen claimed an 8-0 victory in six innings in the second contest.

The first game was a pitcher's duel between LVC's Laura Snyder and Widener's Kelsey Shultz. Lebanon Valley had four base runners in the game, while Widener had five.

Snyder recorded the only hit for LVC in the game, notching a single in the sixth inning. A walk to Chelsea Kehr and an error that allowed Kristen Palmerio to reach first loaded the bases. Tough defense by Widener led to a double play, preventing Snyder from crossing home plate.

With the score tied after the seventh, the game went to extra innings. The Pride sealed the victory in the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back doubles for the winning run.

Shultz allowed one hit and two walks, while striking out six. Snyder pitched the complete game for LVC, giving up one run on three hits and striking out a season-high 13 batters.

Lebanon Valley's bats came alive in the nightcap, claiming a shortened game after scoring eight runs.

Leadoff batter Katie Deardorff reached on an error in the first inning and stole second base. She went on to score off a single by Steffani Secola for the early 1-0 lead.

Adding a run in the second, Marisa Krause starting things off with a walk. She advanced on a single by Snyder and scored on an error that sent Chelsea Kehr to first.

Krause continued her success in the fourth inning with a solo homerun, her second of the season and second in three games to extend LVC's advantage to three runs.

The Dutchmen pushed the lead to five with two runs crossing home plate in the fifth inning. Palmerio hit a double, advanced to third on a passed ball, and scored off a single from Meghan Donoghue. Secola then hit a single and Chelsea Artz took over as pinch runner. A two-out single by Alison Hartman scored Artz for the second run of the inning.

Three more runs in the sixth secured the win for LVC. Deardorff opened the inning with a single, while Mary Readinger and Donoghue drew walks. A single from Secola scored two runners and a sacrifice fly by Katie Freeman sent Donoghue home.

Val Malizzia recorded her third win of the season after pitching all six innings. She allowed just two hits and struck out five.

LVC hosts DeSales Sunday at noon for the first home game of the season at LVC Softball Park.