Story written and posted by Anthony Perry '08, Fisher College Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information

BRIGHTON, MASS. – The Fisher College Softball team battled through the overcast skies and some brief periods of rain this afternoon as they wrapped up the four-game series with Penn State – Schuylkill at Daly Field. The Falcons dropped both ends of the Continental Athletic Conference twin-bill with scores of 18-3 and 17-0 as they fall to 0-6 on the season while the Nittany Lions improve to 6-3 overall in the 2022 season.

Game One: Penn State-Schuylkill 18, Fisher College 3 (Final/5 inn.)

Senior Shaniah Hazard (Providence, R.I.) had a two-RBI base hit in the first inning as the Falcons were upended in the opening game by PSU-Schuylkill, 18-3. The veteran first baseman finished the contest going 1-for-2 with the two runs batted in while junior Madison Kelley (Moosup, Conn.) was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored.

In the home half of the first inning, senior Naomi Mares (Pueblo, Colo.) got things started with a leadoff single to center and then stole second. Classmate Linda Martinez (Madison, Miss.) followed with a single through the left side that allowed Mares to advance to third. Kelley walked to load the bases and following a strikeout, Hazard laced a hard-hit ball past the third baseman and into left field that allowed both Mares and Martinez to cross the plate.

Freshman Paola Velazquez (Caguas, Puerto Rico) was 0-for-1 however she earned her way on base in her second plate appearance has she was hit by the pitch in the fourth. Junior Nathalie Rodriguez (Guarbo, Puerto Rico) pinch ran for Velazquez and replaced her in centerfield, where she made some good plays defensively in tracking down base hits in her direction and keeping runners from advancing extra bases.

Inside the circle, Kelley was credited with her fifth loss of the season after allowing eighteen runs on seven hits while striking out one over 2.2 innings of work in the damp conditions. Freshman Edsyl Irizarry (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) tossed the final 2.1 innings allowing just three hits and issuing only one walk.

The Nittany Lions offensive attack was powered by junior Caitlyn Coggin (Alexandria, Va.), who had six RBI on her 2-for-3 showing at the plate. Sophomore Alyssa Youst (Schuylkill Haven, Pa.) also collected two hits in the triumph. Freshman Kelsey Walshaw (Dornsife, Pa.) picked up the win in the circle as she allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits with six strikeouts over three innings of work. Sophomore Melanie Torrales (Allentown, Pa.) spun two innings of one-hit ball with a strikeout to preserve the victory.

Game Two: Penn State-Schuylkill 17, Fisher College 0 (Final/5 inn.)

Freshman Stephanie Faiella (East Boston, Mass.) recorded the only hit for the Falcons in the series finale as PSU-Schuylkill swept the four-game set, winning the finale 17-0.

Faiella's hustle infield single in the third inning ended the hopes of a perfect game from the tough PSU-Schuylkill senior left-hander, Sierra Santarisero (Moosic, Pa.). Faiella put together a good at-bat as she fouled off a pitch before hit a 3-2 offering to the right side of the second base bag. PSU-Schuylkill junior second baseman Meghan Stokes (Winchester, Pa.) made a terrific back-handed play as she ranged well to her right but her throw to first was not in time to catch the speedy Faiella.

Letty Chavez-Rendon (Chicago, Ill.) made her debut in the circle for the Falcons as the right-hander tossed all five innings, surrendering seventeen runs (fourteen earned) on eighteen hits and striking out three. Freshman Nayleemar Montalvo (Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico) was the defensive standout in game two for Fisher as she made a pair of tough catches out in left-field. Junior Ashleigh Onfroy (East Falmouth, Mass.) did a good job patrolling right field and classmate Natalia Ortiz (Humacao, Puerto Rico) also made a solid play at second base in the setback for the Falcons.

Santarisero finished her complete game effort striking out seven and allowing just the one-hit. Offensively, the Nittany Lions junior designated player Emily Maher (Orwigsburg, Pa.) went 3-for-4 with a RBI and both Stokes and Torrales added three RBIs each. Youst ended her afternoon with four RBI as she was 3-for-4 at the plate.
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Next up for Fisher College will be a few days of rest before they travel to Paxton, Mass. for a 4pm double-header at Anna Maria College. PSU-Schuylkill will return home as they prepare to host Penn State-Hazleton on Saturday, March 26.