Box Score Scranton, Pa. - Penn State Abington had one last non-conference tuneup game earlier this afternoon before they head into their final weekend of NEAC conference play. The Nittany Lions travelled to Scranton to finish a suspended game from earlier in the season and then to play one more, and the Blue and White ended up losing a tough 6-7 decision in the full game, a contest that was marred by 10 total errors. Michaela Drogalis got the start in the pitcher's circle while Trish Watson led the offensive effort, going 2-for-4 at the plate.
 
After finishing up the final inning of the suspended game, which Penn State Abington ended up losing by a score of 3-12, the Nittany Lions (16-17, 9-7 NEAC) got on top early in the second game with a run in the top of the first. Mariellen Medernach singled to lead off the game, and advanced to second on a groundout to third by Alyssa Virginio. After a strikeout, Watson came to the plate and sent another grounder to third. This time, however, a throwing error allowed the senior to reach safely, and Medernach made it all the way home to give Abington a 1-0 lead.
 
Scranton (13-14, 4-4 Empire 8) wasted no time in getting back on top in the bottom of the first. With one out, two straight fielding errors allowed the next two batters to make it all the way to second and third. Then, a passed ball scored one run to tie the game, and a sacrifice fly in the next at bat gave the Royals a 2-1 lead. The seesaw affair continued in the top of the second. Abington managed to regain their lead with a two-out, two-run rally. Cara Fiala got things started, sending a double into right center. Medernach came to bat next and reached on a throwing error, allowing Fiala to score. Then, Virginio came to bat and reached on yet another throwing error, scoring Medernach and giving Abington a 3-2 lead.
 
After Drogalis pitched a 1-2-3 frame in the bottom of the second, the first time either side had been held scoreless to that point in the game, Abington managed to tack on three more runs in the top of the third. Watson started things with a single to left, and Drogalis herself followed that up by drawing a walk. Once again, the Royals defense let them down, as Sam Kidd came to bat next and reached on a fielding error, allowing Watson to score. Nicole Battaglio followed that up with an RBI groundout to third, and then Ashley Quenzer reached on another fielding error by the third baseman, scoring Kidd and giving Abington a 6-2 lead.
 
Unfortunately, it was all Scranton from there on out. The hosts came back for three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. A fielder's choice and two wild pitches made the score 6-5 in favor of Abington. Then, in the bottom of the fifth, the Royals got what turned out to be the biggest hit of the game, a two run, go-ahead homerun to deep center field by Kristen Williams to put Scranton ahead by the final score of 7-6.
 
The Nittany Lions now look forward to this all-important weekend of NEAC play they face. On Saturday, the squad will travel to Middletown, Pa. to take on Penn State Harrisburg, who sit just one game behind Abington for the third and final playoff spot in the NEAC South Division standings. Then, The Blue and White will close out their regular season with a trip to Washington, D.C. to take on Gallaudet on Sunday afternoon. Check abingtonsports.com anytime over the weekend for all your updates on the Nittany Lions chase for the postseason.