LANGHORNE, PA - Hold onto your seats.
If it was the PBU's aim to make things interesting heading into the final day of the regular season, they definitely achieved their objective.
The Crimson Eagles split games with Penn State Harrisburg Friday evening, pulling out a gut-check type win in game one over the Lions but falling in by three runs in the second decision.
The split keeps PBU in control of their own destiny, but a pair of losses tomorrow against Cazenovia College could prove disastrous for the squad currently tied for third place.
The playoff scenario, albeit somewhat confusing, simplifies to something like this:
Two wins would clinch a playoff spot for PBU, and in fact would secure third place for the Crimson Eagles -- a fact that is made even more significant when considering that the fourth and fifth place squads at the end of tomorrow will play in a "play-in" game on April 29 to determine who gets the fourth and final spot.
A 1-1 record against Cazenovia would mean that PBU is most likely in, with an outside shot the squad could be bumped out pending a couple of major upsets. A pair of losses would still give the Crimson Eagles an outside chance to get in, but would mean the squad would need major help from some of the "bottom" teams that -- realistically -- can't be counted on.
So all of that to say if PBU can take care of business tomorrow the team will secure the third place spot and will forgoe the worries of "what if" type scenarios. Noteably, as if the squad doesn't have enough to play for already, a playoff bid would mark the first time in program history that a softball team has earned a berth into the postseason.
Either way, on Friday PBU pulled out a critical victory over Penn State Harrisburg by logging four runs in the eighth (and extra) inning. The Lions countered with two scores of their own but PBU's defense closed down in the top of the eighth to generate a 9-7 triumph.
In game two it was all PSH all the way as the Crimson Eagle offense was held to just two hits for the contest. The Lions, meanwhile, spread out nine hits and scored six unanswered runs throughout the first three stanzas to build up an early 6-1 advantage. PBU managed two scores in the top of the seventh but fell short of a remarkable late game rally.
Sophomore catcher Jen Steward went three for seven at the plate for the afternoon while rookie Megan Garven ended three for nine with two RBI's. Sophomore Lauren Roth chipped in three hits in eight plate appearances with two runs scored and a ribby.
PBU will play in their last two regular season games on Saturday against Cazenovia College. The all-important contests against the Wildcats will begin at 2:00 pm.
