Sports Roundup: Greater Allegheny Teams are Winners

Lady Lions Softball Team qualifies for PSUAC playoffs

The Penn State Greater Allegheny Women's Softball team has qualified for the PSUAC playoffs. It is the first time in school history that the team has made the postseason tournament. The Lady Lions finished fourth in the conference with a record of 11-7 and an overall record of 13-19. The team only had two wins all of last season. "We are very excited that we have the chance to play for a conference championship," said Head Coach Ryan Astor. "We have won seven of our last eight games and we feel that we have a great shot at winning the whole thing."

The double-elimination tournament will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in Williamsport. Penn State Greater Allegheny will take on the No. 1 seed Penn State Beaver. Beaver swept the season series from Greater Allegheny.

Baseball team qualifies for USCAA playoffs

The Penn State Greater Allegheny Men's Baseball team has accepted a bid to participate in the USCAA National Tournament. It is the first time in school history that a Penn State Greater Allegheny athletic team has received a national invite. "Our baseball program is thrilled to be recognized on a national level in such a short period of time since our staff took over in late July," said Head Coach Jim Chester. "Going from 0-9 in 2007 to playing for a national championship in 2008, is a direct reflection of the support of the administration and the overall hard work of the players of the program."

PSUGA finished with an overall record of 23-21. The team was 0-9 last year. The double-elimination tournament will start on Tuesday, May 13, in Hampton, Va.

Greater Allegheny splits with Abington, clinches playoff berth

Penn State Greater Allegheny split its double-header with Penn State Abington on Saturday, losing 12-8 in eight innings and winning 17-9. With the win, the Lady Lions clinched its first-ever PSUAC playoff berth.

 In game one, Greater Allegheny seemed to be in control after running out to a 6-1 lead. Abington would answer back and take the lead with three runs in the fourth inning and four runs in the fifth. The team tied the game in the bottom of seventh when sophomore Cristina Acevez (Santa Ana, Calif./Los Amigos) drove home senior Sasha Kaclik (McKeesport/ Woodland Hills). Abington answered back in the top of the eighth inning with four runs to put the game away.

 In game two, the Lady Lions came out swinging, scoring 13 runs in the first three innings. Sophomore Courtney Johnson (McKeesport/McKeesport) led the offensive attack, going four for five with seven RBIs. Sasha Kaclik picked up her fifth win in a row, pitching four innings and allowing five earned runs. 

Wysni named USCAA Player of the Week

For the second week in a row, a Penn State Greater Allegheny softball player has been named USCAA Player of the Week. Sophomore Danielle Wysni (McKeesport/McKeesport) received the honor for efforts during the week of April 21. In four games played, Wysni posted a .677 batting average (10 for 15), hitting two triples and one homerun. She had seven RBIs, two stolen bases and scored 10 runs.