Box Scores
Glenville State - W 9-1
West Virginia State - W 2-1
Ohio Valley University - W 8-6

GLENVILLE, W.V. - Junior pitcher Jackie Battaglino went 2-0 with 11 strikeouts in two appearances this weekend to help East Stroudsburg University go 3-0 in the WVIAC/PSAC Softball Challenge held in Glenville, W.V.

The Warriors (8-5) defeated host Glenville State 9-1, West Virginia State 2-1, and Ohio Valley University 8-6 before games against Seton Hill and Salem International were rained out.

In Friday's first game, against Glenville State, the Warriors jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by freshman Rachel Gieringer. They extended their lead in the third inning with five runs, including a two RBI single by senior Kerri Jakobsen. ESU added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a two-out, two RBI double by freshman Katelin Fitzpatrick to go ahead 9-0.

Senior Jennifer Bensinger shut out the Pioneers through the first four innings before giving up one run on two hits in the top of the fifth to end the game due to the eight-run rule. Bensinger tossed the first 1.1 innings before giving up a hit, ending her hitless streak at 9.1 innings following her no-hitter at Goldey-Beacom on Wednesday.

In the day's second game against West Virginia State, ESU struck first when junior Kara Darcey's double brought home sophomore Brittany Racek after her single and stolen base. The Warriors tacked on their second run in the fourth when freshman Brandi Stettler knocked in junior Caitlin Rosenbaum with a single.

Battaglino tossed a complete game, giving up one run on four hits with five strikeouts. West Virginia State scored its run in the fifth inning before Battaglino stranded the potential game-tying run at second base in both the sixth and seventh.

In the weekend's final game against Ohio Valley, the Warriors fell behind 6-2 after the first four innings. After putting two runs on the board in the fifth, ESU tied the game in the sixth when Gieringer was hit by a pitch and Rosenbaum walked, both with the bases loaded. The Warriors took the lead in the top half of the seventh on run-scoring hits from both Darcey and Jakobsen.

Battaglino earned the win in relief, holding OVU to no runs and one hit while striking out six batters in 3.2 innings. Gieringer went 1-for-3, including a double, with three RBI and a run scored while Darcey and sophomore Alicea Ashe combined to go 4-for-8 with three RBI and three runs scored.

ESU is in action three times this week beginning with a doubleheader at Holy Family on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Warriors will host Mercy College on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in their home opener which was originally scheduled to be played at Mercy College.

The Warriors begin PSAC East play on Saturday with a trip to West Chester.