Penn State DuBois senior Chelsea Busatto starts her swing towards the ball during a recent home game at Heindl Field in DuBois.
DuBOIS, Pa. — As the midpoint of the spring sports season moves past, the baseball and softball teams at Penn State DuBois are in the heart of their seasons. With Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) play in full swing, important wins were picked up by both teams last week and both teams will be looking to keep positive momentum moving forward in their upcoming games this week.
The Lady Lion softball team began last week by traveling to visit Penn State New Kensington on April 1 for a PSUAC double header. Despite a strong showing at the plate in game one, DuBois came up short against New Kensington, falling 9–5.
DuBois racked up 11 hits, including three from freshman shortstop Jessy Frank, who also drove in a run and scored. Senior left fielder Makena Baney added an RBI single, while freshman third baseman Sienna Barnhart and sophomore pitcher Kelsey Stuart each contributed RBI hits. Sophomore second baseman Audrey Walker chipped in with two hits and an RBI as well.
After plating a run in the top of the first, DuBois added three more in the third to briefly take a 4–1 lead. New Kensington responded with three runs of its own in the bottom of the third and pulled away with additional runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Stuart took the loss in the circle, allowing six earned runs on seven hits over 3.2 innings. Freshman Theresa Luongo pitched the final 2.1 innings in relief.
New Kensington totaled 12 hits in the win, with Linda Shepard going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two doubles. Olivia Waldrop and Antonia Velasquez each had multi-hit games and combined for three RBIs.
Penn State DuBois bounced back in the second game of the doubleheader, holding off a late push from Penn State New Kensington to earn a 5–4 victory.
Barnhart led the way for DuBois at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI. Sophomore designated player Natalie Bowser added two hits and drove in two runs, while Stuart brought in another with a groundout. Frank continued her strong day with two hits and two runs scored.
DuBois scored twice in the first inning and added three more in the fifth to take a 5–2 lead. New Kensington rallied with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but relief pitcher Bowser recorded the final outs to secure the win.
Luongo earned the win, throwing six innings while allowing four earned runs on six hits and six walks, striking out two. Bowser pitched a clean seventh inning in relief, surrendering one hit and striking out one.
New Kensington was paced by Shepard, who drove in two runs and had one of the team’s seven hits. Velasquez added two hits and an RBI. Kali Barnett reached base four times and scored three of New Kensington's four runs.
After splitting the double header to start the week, Penn State DuBois hosted Penn State Beaver in their first home games of the season at Heindl Field on April 4. In the first game of the day, DuBois used timely hitting and a strong outing in the circle from Stuart to defeat Penn State Beaver, 5–1.
Barnhart delivered the biggest blow of the day, launching a two-run home run in the second inning to give DuBois an early 4–0 lead. Barnhart finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored.
The Lady Lions struck for two runs in each of the first two innings and added another in the third. Sophomore designated player Chelsea Busatto collected two hits and drove in a run, while catcher Paige Miller added a two-run double in the third inning. Frank and Stuart also doubled in the win.
Stuart was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game and allowing just one earned run on four hits. She struck out three and walked two over seven innings of work.
For Penn State Beaver, Selene Arteaga led the offense with two hits, including a double, and scored the team’s lone run. Mackenzie Boyd drove in the only RBI with a single in the third inning.
Looking to complete the double header sweep, Penn State DuBois got a massive eight-run sixth inning to break open a wild contest and surge past Penn State Beaver, 16–8.
The Lady Lions pounded out 17 hits and capitalized on five Beaver errors to earn the run-rule victory. Every starter in the DuBois lineup contributed offensively, led by Busatto, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Barnhart stayed hot at the plate, launching her second home run of the day as part of a three-run outburst in the fifth inning. She finished 1-for-2 with two walks, three runs, and an RBI. Bowser came off the bench to go 2-for-2 with three RBIs and a double. Stuart collected three hits and drove in two runs, while Walker added a pair of hits and two RBIs of her own. DuBois showed speed on the bases as well, stealing four bags and scoring in four of their six innings at the plate.
On the mound, Luongo earned the win despite a shaky outing, allowing seven runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings. Bowser closed out the game with 1.2 innings of relief, giving up just one unearned run.
For Penn State Beaver, Reza Benson led the offense with two hits and three RBIs, including a two-run single in the third inning. Emilee Waggoner also had two hits and drove in two. Beaver pulled within one run in the fifth, but couldn’t hold back DuBois’s offensive barrage in the sixth.
Penn State DuBois senior Kelsey Stuart prepares to start her pitching motion during a recent home game at Heindl Field in DuBois.
On the baseball diamond, Penn State DuBois completed a home and home series with Penn State New Kensington, starting first with a double header at New Kensington on April 4. In the first game of the day, Jake Sikora’s home run and Bryce Dobson’s four RBIs fueled a 15-hit offensive outburst as DuBois rolled past New Kensington, 13–6.
DuBois pulled away with four runs in the fourth inning and never looked back, capitalizing on six New Kensington errors while showcasing a balanced lineup. Every DuBois starter either scored a run, tallied a hit, or drove in a run. Sikora crushed a two-run homer in the fifth and finished with two hits and two RBIs. Dobson delivered a bases-clearing double in the sixth to give DuBois a commanding 11–6 lead.
Colby Bodtorf had two hits and drove in a run at the top of the order, while Isaac Tiracorda and Nick Cagliola chipped in with two hits apiece. Cagliola also stole a base and scored twice. Alex Gavlock continued his strong season with a 2-for-5 performance, including an RBI double in the third.
On the mound, senior right-hander Connor Cherry earned the win, tossing 3.1 innings and allowing five earned runs while striking out one. Travis Keister closed out the final 3.2 innings, giving up just one run and fanning six.
New Kensington jumped ahead early with a three-run first, highlighted by a three-run homer from Bryan Calderon. But the hosts were plagued by defensive miscues and couldn’t contain the DuBois offense, which scored in six of seven innings.
Penn State DuBois looked to keep those positive movements going in game two as Taylor Boland took the mound for the Nittany Lions. DuBois completed a doubleheader sweep on with a commanding 13-4 victory over New Kensington, powered by a fast start and a balanced offensive attack.
DuBois jumped out to a 6-1 lead after the first inning and never looked back, racking up 12 hits and capitalizing on three New Kensington errors. Sikora and Braylen Corter each drove in a run, with Corter also collecting a double in his only at-bat. Designated hitter Grant Lillard tripled and knocked in two runs, while Tiracorda, Cole Slaugenhoup, and Cagliola each added an RBI. Dobson went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Kyle Elensky had two hits and scored twice. Eleven different Nittany Lions recorded at least one hit or RBI, showcasing the team's depth at the plate.
On the mound, Boland earned the win, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits over four innings. The bullpen combined for three scoreless frames, with Josh Ross, Austin Mitchell, and Joe Tettis each tossing an inning to shut the door.
New Kensington’s offense was led by Chris Magnee, who hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Calderon and Adrian Cruz each added a double, but the home team couldn't recover after DuBois’ explosive first frame.
After taking two games away from home, Penn State DuBois continued their winning ways at home at Showers Field on April 5. In the first game, DuBois secured its third straight win over New Kensington, holding off a late rally to claim a 9-8 victory.
A four-run first inning gave DuBois an early cushion, and despite a three-run seventh from New Kensington, the home team was able to shut the door and sweep the three-game PSUAC series. Sikora led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs. Tiracorda collected two hits, scored twice, and drove in a run, while Dobson and Corter also tallied RBIs for DuBois. Corter added a double and a stolen base.
Zach Tiracorda started on the mound for DuBois and allowed five runs over four innings. Jeff Romano picked up where Tiracorda left off, working 2.2 innings and giving up just one run before Maclain Welshans finished the game, earning the save despite giving up two runs in the seventh.
New Kensington’s Chris Magnee delivered a standout performance in the loss, driving in six runs on two hits, including a home run and a double. Bryan Calderon also homered, and Miguel Garcia added an RBI. Despite outhitting DuBois 9-8 and drawing five walks, New Kensington couldn’t overcome early control issues from starter Nathan Mecke, who allowed nine runs over four innings.
Game two saw the Penn State DuBois offense open up even further than was seen in the first game. A 12-run barrage over the fourth and fifth innings powered DuBois to a commanding 14-4 win over New Kensington.
Tied 2-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, DuBois broke the game wide open with six runs in the inning and tacked on six more in the fifth to cap off the series sweep.
Grant Lillard led the offensive charge, going 1-for-2 with four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double. Hayden Vaughn added a two-run home run, while Bodtorf also went deep and finished with two hits and an RBI. Tiracorda and Elensky each doubled and drove in two. On the mound, Zach Witherow earned the win with five innings of work, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out six. Owen Graham tossed a scoreless sixth to close it out.
New Kensington’s Calderon homered for the second straight game and drove in two runs. Miguel Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs, and Nat Greenslet added three hits. AJ Demharter took the loss for New Kensington, surrendering eight runs (six earned) over five innings. Ken Boyle gave up six more in relief.
Penn State DuBois sophomore Zach Witherow prepares to release the baseball, as part of his pitching motion, during a recent home game at Showers Field in DuBois.
Looking at the week ahead, both teams have a full schedule. For the softball team, their week begins today, April 7, when they travel to visit LaRoche College for a double header beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Lady Lions will then host Penn Highlands Community College on April 9 at Heindl Field for a double header. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. DuBois will return to PSUAC play on April 11 when they host Penn State Fayette for divisional double header beginning at noon. The Lady Lions will finish out their week on April 12 when they host Kent State Tuscarawas at Heindl Field for a non-conference double header, with the first game scheduled to start at noon.
The baseball team will also have a busy week, starting with a non-conference double header against LaRoche College at Showers Field on April 9, with the first game beginning at 6 p.m. The Nittany Lions will then host Penn State Greater Allegheny on April 11 for an evening PSUAC double header. First pitch is scheduled for game one at 6 p.m. DuBois will then finish the home and home double header against Greater Allegheny on April 12, this time as the visiting team. First pitch for game one is scheduled for noon.
For complete athletic schedules, including any weather-related changes, visit the Penn State DuBois athletic website.
