The Lancaster Bible College Softball team ended their 2024 season in a thrilling 6-5 loss at Penn St. Abington on Wednesday evening. The Chargers used a three-run sixth inning to tie the game, but ultimately fell as the Lions scored one in the bottom of the sixth. The Chargers end their season 14-24 overall and 6-14 in the United East while the Lions improve to 19-18 overall and 11-9 in conference.

How It Happened: The Chargers started the game off early as senior Alyssa Hamilton notched her sixth homerun of the season to take the lead, 1-0. However, the Lions kept the Chargers at bay for the rest of the game while putting five runs on the board through four innings. It wasn't until the top of the fifth inning that the Chargers found the scoreboard again as Noelle Martin stole home. Facing a 5-2 deficit and elimination, the Chargers rallied to score three runs in the sixth inning. Martin singled to left center, scoring both Phoebe Clemens and Sheyenne King, followed by a clutch single from Alyssa Paulson to score Martin and tie the game. Despite the momentum shift, the Lions returned the favor and scored one run themselves to take the lead going into the seventh inning. Looking for a few more clutch plays, the Chargers were unable to bring anyone home with the game-winning run at third, leading to a 6-5 win for the Lions.

By the Numbers: The Chargers tallied 12 hits for five runs and four RBIs… the Lions had 11 hits for six runs and six RBIs… Martin went 3-4 with two runs and two RBIs… Hamilton, King, Paulson, and KariAnn Mecke each added two hits… Clemens was walked three times and stole two bases… Riley Danko was given the loss despite striking out four batters.

Information to Know: This was the Chargers' first postseason game since before LBC became a NCAA Division III institution and since the program was reintroduced in 2014. The Chargers won 14 games for the fourth time since 2014 and earned their first ever wins over both Penn St. Harrisburg (April 20) and Penn College (April 27). Senior Phoebe Clemens set a trio of new single-season program records in 2024, connecting on 56 hits, slashing a .496 batting average, and ending with a .556 on-base percentage. Clemens also tied her single-season record with seven triples, leading the team with a 1.335 OPS, 33 runs scored, and 31 RBIs. She finishes her four-year tenure with the Chargers with 183 hits, 61 extra-base hits (32 2B, 21 3B, 8 HR), a .445 batting average, and 82 stolen bases. Senior Alyssa Hamilton now holds the single-season record for home runs, smashing six homers in 2024. Hamilton finishes her three-year career with the Chargers with a .341 batting average, 123 hits, 45 doubles, eight home runs, and 63 RBIs. As a pitcher, she pitched 340 innings with a 4.43 ERA, throwing 44 complete games and registering 102 strikeouts. Senior Alyssa Paulson played four seasons for Lancaster Bible, totaling 99 hits and 58 RBIs, batting .271 on her career with 22 stolen bases. Sheyenne King played for three years in Lancaster, tallying 90 hits and 44 RBIs, stealing 53 bases and posting a .302 career batting average. King also pitched 34 2/3 innings for the Chargers with a 10.30 ERA, striking out six with one complete game.

The Chargers end the 2024 season 14-24 overall and 6-14 in conference.