Box Score READING, Pa. – Sophomore Michaela Drogalis pitched 4.1 innings and struck out three batters and senior Mariellen Medernach put in three hits with an RBI, but it wouldn't be enough to rebound from a quick offensive attack in the first inning by SUNYIT as Abington dropped a 7-2 decision in the opening round of the North Eastern Atheltic Conference Championship Tournament at Hintz Field, hosted by Penn State Berks, in Reading Friday afternoon.

After a slow start from Abington, SUNYIT jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of first, hoping to hook Drogalis from the get-go, however Drogalis recollected herself and maintained control of her pitches, getting the Nittany Lions out of the jam with a strikeout to close out the inning.

Abington managed to stay in contention in the top of third with runners on first and second before Medernach singled up through the middle, rounding Ashley Quenzer from second for the first run before Cara Fiala came up short at home as SUNYIT's catcher managed to haul in the throw from centerfield for the tag to prevent the tie.

SUNYIT continued to do more damage on the turn, as two runs were scored off of Krista Pristera's triple out to right field before Lauren Marleau bunted cleanly to record an RBI on a fielder's choice, making it a 5-1 ball game in favor of the Wildcats.
Abington kept pushing throughout the game, scoring the second run in the top of fifth from Sam Kidd's RBI single to score Sheila O'Hagan from third, cutting the deficit to just three runs. However, in the bottom of the fifth, the Wildcats added two more runs on a single to increase the lead to 7-2.

Abington never gave up but could not get on base as the bats were limited to just three hits in the final two innings for the 7-2 loss.
Drogalis went 4.1 innings before leaving in the fifth, allowing seven runs on four hits. O'Hagan relieved in the final two innings for the Nittany Lions, allowing just one hit.

Kidd, O'Hagan, and Nicole Battaglio all went 1-for-3 at the plate as Kidd picked up an RBI while O'Hagan scored a run on the day.
SUNYIT's Erica Hovey pitched a complete game, allowing just two runs on nine hits as Pristera went 2-for-3 at the plate with 3 RBIs and two runs for the Wildcats.

The Nittany Lions will return to action tomorrow at 12 p.m., looking to bounce back from the loss as they await to see who the winners are from Game 4. Stays tuned to AbingtonSports.com for your playoff news and follow the full action on Twitter: @Abingtonsports.