ERIE, PA. (March 30, 2010) – The Thiel College softball team was swept, 3-6 and 1-2, by the Penn. State Behrend Lions on Tuesday.

In game one, the Tomcats fell behind the Lions in the third, after a Thiel College error with the bases loaded scored all three runs.  The Thiel women rallied back in the top half of the fifth, on the strength of an RBI double by senior third base, Stephanie Smith (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny), and a single that notched a pair of RBIs by junior catcher, Melissa Rankin (Scenery Hill, Pa./Bentworth).

One inning later, the Lions of Behrend tallied three more runs to seal the game in their favor. 

Sophomore pitcher, Kristen Moreland (Dover, Ohio/Dover), went six complete innings, striking out four batters, while allowing two earned runs on nine hits in the losing effort.

Offensively, the Tomcats were lead by Jackie Belisto and Laura Davin's who tallied a pair of hits apiece, while Rankin contributed a hit and two RBIs in the contest.

Game two began with Behrend maintaining a one run lead until sophomore shortstop, Becky Betteridge (Conneaut, Ohio/Conneaut), hit an RBI single in the top of the fifth knotting the score at one.  The tie would be short lived, however, when an RBI single by Ashley Gruber gave Penn. State the game.

Emily Batiz (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg Area) was the losing pitcher of the contest, going six complete innings, striking out five, while allowing two earned runs on six hits.

The Thiel College softball team returns to action on Thursday, April 1 when the Titans of Westminster College come to Greenville, Pa. for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader.