MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.- The Penn State Abington softball team picked up their first two wins of the season on day three of the Fastpitch Dreams Classic, after defeating opponents Centenary University (NJ) and Franciscan University. The Nittany Lions improve to 2-4 on the season. 

In game one, Abington battled their way to a 9-6 victory after going into eight innings against the Cyclones and forcing three runs during the International Tie Breaker. Sophomore Mary Kate Smith got the offense going in the top of the first after using her lightning speed to beat out an infield single. Fellow sophomore Akia Marshall drilled a double to left field to score Smith for Abington's first run of the day. Marshall later stole her first base of the season, and came across the plate to put Abington up 2-0 after a RBI single by Jenna Gorman.

Gorman later struck in the third inning with a stand up triple to right field that scored Jackie McMenamin. Freshman Gabby Gaskin contributed to Abington's 4-0 lead after she hit a screaming line drive into right field. Gaskin later came in clutch again for the Nittany Lions with a RBI triple to right field at the top of the fifth inning. She was later scored by Shayna Cuiffitelli who roped a single through the left side. Heading into the bottom of the seventh inning Abingotn led the Cyclones 6-5. An unearned error in the bottom of the seventh allowed Centenary to tie the game.

Abington entered the top of the eight inning with a runner automatically on second base due to the International Tie Breaker rule. Kourtney Schneider executed a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt that caused the Cyclones defense to throw the ball away, allowing the Nittany Lions to take their lead back. Abington pushed two more runs across after Marshall hit her second double of the game, that allowed Abington to take home their first victory of the season. 

In game two, Abington produced seven hits as a team with Stephanie Andreoli, Mary Kate Smith, and Kourtney Schneider leading with two hits a piece. The Nittany Lions offense scored their two runs in the bottom of the third after Andreoli led off with a double. Smith and Schneider followed the hitting parade with back to back singles that scored Andreoli. Smith eventually scored on an error by the Baron's defense to take home the 2-1 victory.

Tomorrow Abington will close out the Fastpitch Dreams Classic with two final games against Albert Magnus College at 9:30am, and Cazenovia College at 3:30pm.