ALTOONA, PA – The Lady Barons softball team of Franciscan University of Steubenville traveled to Penn State Altoona on Wednesday for a doubleheader against the Lady Lions, losing 8-3, 10-2.  With the losses, the Lady Barons dropped to an overall standing of 2-20, and 1-13 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

“We played pretty well today,” Lady Barons head coach Jen Biela remarked.  “We got some good hits, and Shelbi pitched two solid games for us.”

The Lady Barons struggled in the first game, unable to keep pace with Penn State Altoona's offensive attack.  Even with eight hits, the Lady Barons were unable to score many runs.  Sarah Higinbotham led the team with two hits and an RBI; Monica Recznik had a hit, a run, and an RBI; and Catherine Durand, Katie Quitney, and Emily Whiteside each had a hit and a run scored.

“Shelbi had an awesome game pitching for us, but we just couldn't get enough going offensively,” Biela commented.  “Katie Quitney had a big hit for us, and Catherine Durand and Emily Whiteside had good games offensively as well.”

The Lady Barons continued to struggle offensively in the second game, however, being outhit 9-6 en route to a 10-2 loss.  Linscomb and Durand led the Lady Barons in this game with two hits and an RBI. 

“There are definitely some things we still need to work on,” Biela said.  “Fielding has been a weakness for us and it was even more difficult today with the absence of Lara Plumlee.  However, we are looking to get some victories this weekend as we take on Penn State-Behrend and Pitt-Greensburg.  If we play our game, we have a good shot at taking a victory this weekend.”

The Lady Barons' doubleheader versus the Penn State Behrend Lions will be at home at 3:00 p.m.