NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. – In a two-game contest, New Kensington softball split on Monday with Penn State Beaver. Game one went in Beaver's favor, 3-0, while Lauren Torgent (Tarentum, Pa./Highlands) secured game two for New Kensington, 6-5. New Kensington ranks 7-9 in the conference and 8-10 overall.
Game 1
Throughout four innings, the score remained untouched. It wasn't until the top of the fifth that Beaver ran in the first runs of the game, three. New Kensington struggled to hit, and Beaver ended the game with a 3-0 win.
For New Kensington, Torgent and Auveonna Perkins (Arnold, Pa./Valley) both went 1-for-2. While pitching, Tori Young (Pittsburgh, Pa./Shaler Area) struck out two.
Game 2
In a nine-inning game, New Kensington took the first lead, 1-0, at the bottom of the first. Calle Zmenkowski (Cheswick, Pa./Fox Chapel) got on base with a single and made her way around the bases. Once at third, a ground out sent Zmenkowski home.
Beaver tied the competition the following inning, 1-1, but New Kensington broke away in the fourth.
Natalie Heltebran (Irwin, Pa./Hempfield) singled to left field and advanced to second on a short stop error. Riplee Burkhart (Verona, Pa./Penn Hills) made it to first during this play. With an Abby Kane (Murrsyville, Pa./Franklin Regional) double, Heltebran scored and Burkhart went to third. A single by Young allowed Burkhart to cross home, and New Kensington was up by two.
New Kensington's lead was short lived as Beaver took over in the top of the fifth. The team had two hits, three runs, and bumped itself ahead, 4-3.
In the bottom of the inning, New Kensington knotted the game with a score by Perkins off a ground out.
Both teams scored one a piece in the eighth inning and tied up the contest yet again. For New Kensington, Molly Collins (Verona, Pa./Riverview) got the RBI and sent Heltberan home. Heading into the final inning, New Kensingotn and Beaver were deadlocked, 5-5.
Beaver had difficulties hitting during the ninth and couldn't break the tie.
With a last chance to come out victorious, a Torgent single for New Kensington sent Young home, and New Kensington defeated Beaver, 6-5.
Zmenkowski led in hitting for New Kensington going 3-for-4. Five players each had one RBI: Burkhart, Collins, Young, Torgent, and Kane. Kane's RBI was double.
After game two, New Kensington honored its three seniors, Burkhart, Torgent, and Zmenkowski along with its two 2+2 student-athletes, Perkins and Young.
New Kensington will play a doubleheader on Tuesday, Apr. 20 battling Penn State Greater Allegheny. Game times are 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Written by Janet Surma
