WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Gallaudet University softball team lost both games of their Saturday doubleheader at home against North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) rival Penn State University at Harrisburg 9-0, 8-0 in five innings. Both contests were slightly delayed by short bursts of hail, rain showers but the majority of the afternoon was spent under the shining sun. Unfortunately, it was not enough to warm the bats and gloves of the Bison.

Gallaudet (2-10, 0-2 NEAC South) was unable to mount much offense in their NEAC debut as they mustered only five hits on the day. In the early game, sophomore catcher Nicole O'Malley (Fredericksburg, Va.) led off the bottom of the first inning with a single to the third baseman – a hit that turned out to be Gallaudet's only one of the contest. Poor fielding also hampered GU against Penn St.-Harrisburg (6-10, 3-1) as six errors in the field contributed to eight unearned runs for sophomore pitcher Alicia Johnson (San Jose, Calif.). She struck out eight and walked seven Nittany Lion batters in the matchup but also threw four wild pitches. The game was still close through two innings, before Penn St.-Harrisburg exploded for five runs in the top of the third to pull ahead 8-0 and put the game out of reach. Penn St.-Harrisburg was led by pitcher Brittany Kringer (1-4) who recorded 10 strikeouts while centerfielder Kara Boyd went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored three times.

In the second game, which was delayed by yet another brief storm, Gallaudet and Penn St.-Harrisburg had four hits apiece. However, three walks, an untimely wild pitch, two well-placed bunts and a double led to a six-run third inning for the Nittany Lions. Johnson (1-2) had a little tougher time in the second contest as she allowed six earned runs while she struck out four, walked five, threw five wild pitches and hit one batter. O'Malley, junior first baseman Jessica Buckwalter (Palmyra, Mo.) and sophomore outfielder Michelin Barron (Frederick, Md.) each singled for the Bison, while freshman outfielder Michelle Mansfield-Hom (Frederick, Md.) contributed a double. Boyd (1-6) struck out seven and walked three for Penn St.-Harrisburg and right fielder Kimberly Lewis added two RBI and a run scored on one hit in two at-bats.

Gallaudet will not have to wait long to try again for their first-ever NEAC win as they take on Penn State University at Berks tomorrow (Sunday, April 3) in a doubleheader at home that will start at 1 p.m.