GREENSBURG, Pa. — Pitt-Johnstown held Seton Hill to four hits in a 3-1 win in its PSAC opener before falling 1-0 in a tightly contested second game to split their PSAC West-opening doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the SHU Softball Complex.
The Mountain Cats sit at 7-6 (1-1 PSAC).
Game 1: Pitt-Johnstown 3, Seton Hill 1
Mia Smith gave up one unearned run in the first, but quickly settled in to toss six consecutive scoreless innings to earn the complete game win in the circle. She scattered four hits and struck out 10 compared to four walks.
Gianna Surra recorded three of Pitt-Johnstown's seven hits, including an RBI double in the seventh to give the Mountain Cats a much-needed insurance run.
Seton Hill scored one run on two hits in the first.
The Mountain Cats came alive in the third when Surra and Meghan McDonough notched back-to-back singles. After Brynnae Coe laid down a sac bunt, both of them scored when Isabella DePalma reached on a throwing error to make it 2-1.
Pitt-Johnstown added on in the seventh, when Audrey Paterson singled to lead off, moved to second on a sac bunt from Annabelle Helt and scored on Surra's double to left.
Jessica Pugh and DePalma each had singles.
Game 2: Seton Hill 1, Pitt-Johnstown 0
The Mountain Cats were held to only three hits in a game where both teams struggled to create quality scoring opportunities.
Mahlon Yonkin threw all six innings, but suffered the loss in the circle after surrendering only one run while scattering nine hits.
Seton Hill tallied the only run it needed in the third inning by taking advantage of two errors. Lacey Lynn threw a complete game to earn the win in the circle for the Griffins, who are 8-12 (1-1 PSAC).
Smith came on as a pinch-hitter and doubled to lead off the seventh, but was left stranded. Paterson and Coe each had singles.
Pitt-Johnstown will visit IUP for a PSAC West doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. Sunday afternoon.