READING, PA. – For the second time in six days, Penn St.-Berks swept the Gallaudet University softball team in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) doubleheader, this time on the road. The Bison lost 5-3 and 9-3 on Saturday afternoon.

Gallaudet (11-23, 1-13 NEAC South Division) has lost eight straight and 17 of its last 18 games since March 24. GU started off the season with a program best 8-0 mark.

The Bison started the second game on the right foot when senior outfielder Alicia Johnson (San Jose, Calif.) launched a two-run home run to give GU an early 2-0 lead. The host Nittany Lions (25-3, 13-1 NEAC South) responded with three runs in the third and four in the fifth to put the game out of reach.

Freshmen Kelsey Hudson (Blissfield, Mich.) and Anna Lynch (Falls Church, Va.) collected two hits each in the loss. Sophomore Montana Murphy (Simi Valley, Calif.) was saddled with the loss as she went the distance and allowed nine runs (seven earned) on 13 hits and three walks.

Jess Epler (4-for-4) added a two-run home run in the sixth inning and had two doubles to go with four RBIs and two runs scored. Casey Hafer (8-2) picked up the complete game win as she allowed three runs on 10 hits, walked one and struck out seven.

In the first game, the Bison fell behind 5-0 after two innings and had an uphill battle the rest of the way. Gallaudet was able to push across two runs in the fourth and another run in the fifth but the Bison left eight runners on and only had six hits in the loss.

Junior Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) pitched for GU and surrendered five runs (three earned) on eight hits and one walk. Hafer was dominate for the Nittany Lions as she struck out 12 of the 32 batters she faced, walked one and allowed three runs (one earned) on six hits.

Sweigart had two doubles in the loss and Johnson scored twice and had the other extra base hit (double) for the Bison. Missy Lamm had a two-run home run for Penn St.-Berks in the first inning and finished with four RBIs, two hits and one run in three plate appearances.

The Bison will remain on the road and face Penn-St. Harrisburg tomorrow (Sunday, April 21) for two NEAC games starting at 1 p.m.