Brandywine Drops World Series Opener

DUBOIS, Pa. – No. 7 Penn State Hazleton scored seven times during the first inning and defeated No. 10 Penn State Brandywine 9-1 in the opening game of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Softball World Series early Monday morning.

Hazleton collected six hits and scored four of its runs with two outs to build a 7-1 edge. Hazleton added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Brandywine had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Arianna Segich (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City) walked, stole two bases and scored on Rachel Cherubini's (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) ground out, but the Lions were limited to two hits and held off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

Alyssa Sullivan (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) tallied a third-inning single and Haley Grossi (Monmouth Junction, N.J./South Brunswick) lined a base hit in the fourth to account for the Lions' pair of hits. Alexandra Szpindor (Pottstown, Pa./Pope John Paul II) reached base three times, working a pair of walks, and she was hit by a pitch.

Brandywine (23-17) will play an elimination game at 10:00 am Tuesday against the loser of the No. 4 Penn State Beaver – No. 5 St. Mary of the Woods game, which will be played at 2:00 pm Monday.