LA PLUME, PA- The Keystone softball team notched their first two United East Conference wins against Gallaudet University, Saturday afternoon. The Giants home opener proved to be successful as the team took down the Bison in game 18-2, before winning a close battle in game two, 6-4. Prior to game one, the Giants celebrated the storied careers of their two seniors, Isabella Benitez (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown) and Emily Shultz.

Game One: (Keystone 18, Gallaudet 2)

The Bison opened the scoring in game one, knocking in their lone two runs of the contest in the opening frame of play. Keystone immediately responded in the first inning, knocking in nine runs to jump out to the early 9-2 lead. Krista Cortazar (Throop, Pa./Mid Valley) earned a walk in the inning, with Shalimar Lopez Ramirez (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) scoring on the ball four wild pitch. Isabella Benitez (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown) singled to right field, scoring both Cortazar and fellow senior, Emily Shultz. Clara Sandly (Taylor, Pa./Riverside), Jordan Chabreck (Lacombe, La./Lakeshore), Bianca Markovitch (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton), Emily Shultz, and Krista Cortazar (Throop, Pa./Mid Valley) all rounded out the first inning with runs.

Keystone slapped two more runs in the second inning across the plate. with multiple wild pitches resulting in runners scoring for Keystone. The third inning remained much of the same, with Keystone's defense holding strong, and the Giants offense adding runs to the board. Clara Sandly (Taylor, Pa./Riverside) singled to center field, scoring Amaia Smith (Berlin, N.J./Overbrook). Sandly eventually came around and scored later in the inning. The Giants knocked in two additional runs in the inning to outscore the Bison 17-2 through three innings of play. 

The Giants defense held strong for the remainder of the contest, allowing just one hit for the Bison, earning their first United East Conference win of the season.

Game Two: (Keystone 6, Keystone 4)

Just like game one, the Bison jumped out to the early lead in game two, knocking in the contest's first two runs. Gallaudet found yet another offensive surge in the second inning, adding to their lead, taking a 3-0 lead into the bottom half of the second frame. The Giants responded in a big way in the third inning, knocking in three runs to tie the game back up. Clara Sandly (Taylor, Pa./Riverside) scored on a wild pitch, as did Bianca Markovitch (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton). Jordan Chabreck (Lacombe, La./Lakeshore) scored shortly after Aimee Lyons (Ajax, ON/Pickering) singled to right field. 

Both team's offense remained quiet into the sixth inning, with the defenses holding strong throughout the majority of the game. Clara Sandly (Taylor, Pa./Riverside) singled to right field in the sixth inning, scoring Isabella Benitez (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown) for the Giants first lead of the game. Aimee Lyons (Ajax, ON/Pickering) singled through the right side, scoring both Bianca Markovitch (Scranton, Pa./West Scranton) and Clara Sandly (Taylor, Pa./Riverside), giving the Giants the three run lead heading into the final frame. Gallaudet added one run in the seventh, but was unable to muster and further offense, falling to Keystone 6-4. 

The Giants head back on the road on April 13 as they take the short trip over to Marywood University to take on the Pacers. Keystone returns home on April 15 to take on the University of Valley Forge in a United East Conference doubleheader.