Reading, Pa. (May 9, 2018) - Fourth-seeded Penn State-Behrend (31-12) got a 3-run home run in the second inning and it stood in a 3-2 win over #5 Alvernia University (23-14-1) in ECAC Softball Quarterfinal action Wednesday at Angelica Park.

Alvernia scratched out a run in the top of the second inning when Mckenzie Miessau ripped a single to center field to plate Jocelyn Flores.

Behrend answered with three in the bottom of the second inning. Alexa Bupp walked with one out and Jillian Williams singled up the middle to put runners at the corners.  Lions' first baseman Kirsten Kargol went down 1-2 in the count before lifting a low and inside pitch over the fence in left for a 3-1 lead.

Alvernia was able to answer right away when Morgan Psiuk singled to lead off the third inning and scored from first when Riley Shields doubled off the fence in left.  Sarah Bystricki reached on an error to put two on with one out, but Behrend pitcher A.J. Nichols got out of the inning on two fly outs to left.

Nichols faced the minimum the rest of the way.  Her only trouble was a walk to Analise Fouracre with one out in the fifth, but Shields hit a comebacker that turned into a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Shields went six innings giving up three runs on five hits with three strikeouts.

Alvernia wraps up the season at 23-14-1 while Penn State-Behrend returns home to host the ECAC Final Four this weekend.

#4 PSU-Behrend 3, #5 Alvernia 2