WASHINGTON - On a special day in Gallaudet University history as the campus celebrated the school's 150th anniversary of its founding the Bison softball team was celebrating cancer survivors at the GU Softball Complex on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. GU wore special pink jerseys to help "Strikeout Cancer," part of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association initiative, and had a special ceremonial first pitch from former Gallaudet softball head coach Sarah Burton Doleac. The Bison took to the field against North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) foe Penn St.-Berks and got swept 12-2 in six innings and 10-2 in seven.

Gallaudet (11-17, 3-7 NEAC) went down early in the first game as the Nittany Lions (12-4, 6-0 NEAC) opened the game with an eight-run first inning. The Bison responded with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first to cut the deficit to six, 8-2. The game would go scoreless for the next four innings but Berks was able to plate four additional runs in the sixth to end the game early under the mercy rule.

Senior pitcher Rachel Sweigart (Big Rock, Ill.) led the Bison offense as she hit a two-run home run to left field in the first inning. Sophomore Anna Lynch (Falls Church, Va.) had a strong performance, going 2-for-3 at the plate and scoring one run. Sweigart (5-8) took the loss in the circle as she allowed 12 runs on 10 hits, walked four as she faced 35 batters and threw 114 pitches.

In the second game, the Nittany Lions scored two or more runs in four of the seven innings played. Gallaudet was unable to match Berk's offense, as the Bison had five hits and two runs. Junior pitcher Montana Murphy (Simi Valley, Calif.) lost as she faced 36 batters, allowed 13 hits, 10 runs, two home runs, two walks while striking out one.

The Bison will close out its home schedule on Friday, April 11, with a NEAC doubleheader against Lancaster Bible College at 2 p.m. The game will mark senior day for Gallaudet's two seniors.