LOCK HAVEN – The Lock Haven softball team used a strong bullpen and timely hitting to edge Slippery Rock in a pair of one-run games, 5-4 (8 Innings) and 8-7, to earn a sweep in its final non-conference doubleheader of the year.

The sweep moves Lock Haven to 28-20 on the season. The Haven’s 28 wins are the most for the program since winning 32 in 2019. Slippery Rock falls to 25-15 on the year.

In game one, Lock Haven opened the scoring in the bottom of the third when Hailey Irwin hit a solo home run to left center field.

However, Slippery Rock responded with three runs in the top of the third to jump out in front 3-1.

Olivia LeMeau drove in runs in each of The Haven’s next two at bats to knot the score at 3-3, but The Rock plated the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh to regain a 4-3 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Maci Brodzina doubled to keep the Bald Eagles’ hopes alive, before Marissa Horn singled to plate the equalizer and send the game into extras.

After stranding the go-ahead run at second in the top of the eighth, LeMeau blooped a single over the shortstops head to drive in Blaire Balestrini for the game-winning run.

LaMeau drove in three runs, including the game-winner to lead the offense, while Irwin hit her team-leading eighth home run of the season.

On the mound, Keiva Middleton went 3.1 innings as the starter and allowed three runs, before handing the ball to Faith Persing, who limited The Rock to one run in 4.2 innings of work to earn her sixth victory of the season.

In game two, Lock Haven plated four runs through the opening two innings to jump out to an early 4-0 lead.

Irwin, Persing and Evelyn Osborne hit doubles, while Persing, Brodzina and Balestrini picked up RBIs during the rally.

However, Slippery Rock erupted for four runs in the top of the third to even the score at 4-4.

Lock Haven responded in the bottom of the fourth by plating three runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double by Persing, to retake a 7-4 lead.

The theme of the afternoon continued as The Rock was able to scratch across three runs over the next two innings to knot the score at 7-7.

However, Lock Haven used two-out magic once more with Marissa Horn playing the hero this time with a single up the middle to score Kaleigh Brodzina as the go-ahead wrong.

Game-one starter Middleton shut the door in the seventh to seal the victory and the sweep.

Middleton earned her fifth victory of the season after limiting The Rock to one run over the final 2.2 innings. Talia Ross (four earned) struck out three hitters over the opening 2.2 innings.

Persing (3 RBI) and M. Brodzina both went 3-for-4 at the dish to headline Lock Haven on offense.

The Bald Eagles return home and will host Shippensburg in the regular season finale on Friday for a 1 p.m. PSAC East doubleheader on Senior Day.