Rhome tosses no-hitter, Lady Lions sweep Summit University 16-0, 7-0

Drifton, Pa. - Sophomore Kayla Rhome (Marysville, Pa.) stole the show on Tuesday, completing a no-hitter from the circle after launching a three run home run in the third inning to cap the Hazleton scoring in game one of the double-header versus Summit University. Rhome allowed just one baserunner in the effort to earn her first career no-hitter and the first such game in nearly five years for the campus. Hazleton hitters supported their aces in both contests, racking up 27 combined hits on the day. The Lady Lions picked up the win for Rhome in game one by a score of 16-0, then earned a 7-0 victory behind s fine pitching outing from sophomore Sara Stauffer (Mifflinburg, Pa.) who shut out the Defenders in the nightcap.

Game 1: Penn State Hazleton 16, Summit University 0 (Final, 5 Innings)

Bottom 1st

The Lady Lions got off to a solid start, picking up a pair of runs on three hits to start the game. Freshman Moriah Lynn (Berwick, Pa.) led off the action with a double, advancing to third base on a single from Stauffer. Lynn came home on the throw when Stauffer stole second base for the Lady Lions first score of the afternoon. Stauffer would come around on freshman Samantha Varela's (Hazleton, Pa.) single to center to put Hazleton up 2-0.

Bottom 2nd

Lynn came to bat again in the second frame, singling to right field to score sophomore Kaitlyn Kaluzny (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) who singled to lead off the inning. With two outs, freshman Vanessa Michael (Bloomsburg, Pa.) doubled to center, scoring Lynn and senior Brandi Grunza (Carbondale, Pa.). Freshman Teddi White (Parsippany, Nj.) followed Michael with a double of her own to score Michael and increase the Lions advantage to 6-0 after two innings of play.

Bottom 3rd

Hazleton adds 10 runs in the inning to expand their lead over the Defenders. Kaluzny homered to center field following a leadoff walk, then the Lions poured on the offense with RBI singles from Stauffer and Michael. A pair of errors and a ground out brought in three additional runs before Rhome cleared the bases, driving in three runs on her blast to left field, capping the Lions scoring effort at 16-0 in favor of Hazleton.

Top Performers

Rhome cruised through her five innings of work, allowing just one Defender to reach base in game one while striking out six hitters to complete the no-hitter. Rhome added a pair of hits in three at bats including the home run, two runs scored and three RBI.

Brandi Grunza went 3-3 at the dish with two runs scored, and five other Lady Lions added two hits in the win including Lynn, Stauffer, Michael, Kaluzny, and Rhome. 

Michael drove in three runners to tie Rhome for top honors, while Kaluzny and Varela each added two RBI.

Game 2: Penn State Hazleton 7, Summit University 0

Bottom 1st

Vanessa Michael singled with one out, then advanced to third base on a single by freshman Hailey Trasacco (Hamden, Ct.). Michael scores on a passed ball to put the Lady Lions up 1-0 after one inning of play.

Bottom 4th

Hazleton adds two runs on three hits in the frame to go up 3-0. Lynn drove in senior Breanna Grunza (Carbondale, Pa.), who singled earlier in the inning, with an infield hit for the first score. After Lynn moved up to second on a passed ball, Stauffer drove in the third baseman from second with a double to left field.

Bottom 6th

Freshman Noelle Bergerstock (Muncy, Pa.) led off the inning with a single through the infield, then moved to third when Lynn and Stauffer reached base. A walk to Michael forced in the innings first run, followed by RBI singles from freshman Kayla Wirth (Bethlehem, Pa.) and Trasacco. The Lions final run would come in on an error by the Defender infield putting Hazleton up by the eventual final score, 7-0.

Top Performers

Sara Stauffer pitched seven strong innings of shut out ball for Hazleton, striking out seven hitters while allowing just four hits to earn her second win of the season.

Hailey Trasacco led the Hazleton hitters with three hits in four at bats and one RBI. Moriah Lynn cashed in one RBI and two runs scored going 2-4 at the dish while teammate Vanessa Michael drove in one run and scored twice going 1-3 at the plate.

Next Up

The sweep over Summit University makes it five straight for Hazleton as they continue non-conference play. The Lady Lions next take the field when they travel to the University of Valley Forge on Thursday, March 24 for 4:00 p.m. double-header.