Spiezio’s Single Earns Split for LHU, 1-0, 5-4

INDIANA, Pa. – The Lock Haven University softball team (26-6, 11-1 PSAC West) dropped their first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West Division game of the season, but rebounded to earn a split in extra innings at IUP (16-11, 8-4 PSAC West) today (April 13) 1-0 and 5-4.

Game one was a pitcher’s dual, as the Haven hitters managed just four base hits off IUP starter Jodie Swavely. Her counterpart, junior Shona M. Guevara (Chino Hills, Calif./Humboldt State University) gave up seven hits and one run in six innings of work, striking out four.

Senior centerfielder Lynn Spiezio (Trooper, Pa./Methacton) singled in her first at bat, wasting no time snapping the LHU career-hits record with 192. Spiezio surpassed Theresa Kovach (1993), a 12-year-old record.

In game two, LHU ended their drought, plating a run in the first inning. Junior second baseman Heather Johnson’s (Williamsport , Pa./Williamsport) single brought home sophomore Stephanie Hallowell (Eagleville, Pa./Methacton) for the 1-0 lead.

IUP would answer with three runs in the bottom of the second, all unearned off Lady Eagle starter Jeanette Middlestead (Coatesville, Pa./La Salle University). LHU took the lead back one-at-a-time, getting runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth to get out in front 4-3.

After a pair of singles started the fourth, junior first baseman Danielle Fraser (West Milford ,N.J./West Milford) had one of her own, bringing home Johnson. An RBI double by Johnson in the fifth and a pinch-hit single by sophomore Amanda Sheets (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville) plated the final two runs of the rally.

The late deficit wasn’t too daunting for IUP, as they picked up their first earned run to force Middlestead from the game. After a scoreless seventh, the stage was set for Spiezio’s heroics.

Senior catcher Janet Paterson (Frederick, Md./Walkersville) led off the inning with a double, and pinch runner Christa Sweigart (Gap, Pa./Pequea Valley) moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. One out later, Speizio singled home the go-ahead run.

Guevara (14-4) threw the final 2.2 innings to get the win, while IUP reliever Amber Pangallo (2-7) suffered the loss.