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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; April 27, 2007- A grand slam from sophomore Kayce Zielinski (Arlington, Texas) punctuated a commanding 14-hit performance by the offense, as Penn State downed Indiana, 14-1 in Big Ten softball action Saturday. Penn State is now an even 5-5 in conference play and 24-18, while Indiana falls to 21-30 (1-15 Big Ten) on the year. The Nittany Lions are home one final time this season on Sunday at noon in a doubleheader vs. Purdue.
With one out, back-to-back singles from Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif.) and Jen Acunto (Hollywood, Fla.) got two runners on for Penn State. A walk to Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif.) loaded the bases for the Lions, but a fielder??s choice on the next play got Kinley at home before she could cross the plate. So with two outs, Zielinski came to the plate and did not disappoint again sending a grand slam over the left field wall to total her sixth RBI of the week. Next up, junior pitcher Jenn Reynolds (Clovis, Calif.) sent a pitch over the outfield wall for her fourth homerun of the year to make the lead 5-0 Nittany Lions. The back-to-back homeruns would put the Lions ahead for good, but Penn State??s offense wasn??t done yet.
In an explosive top of third inning, the Nittany Lions used seven hits, including a two-run homerun blast from Esparza, and five walks to score nine runs in the frame. Three Nittany Lions scored on wild pitches in the inning, and when the dust settled Penn State led 14-0 heading into the bottom of the third inning.
With Indiana as the home team due to Big Ten rules in the second game of each conference series, the Hoosiers broke up the shutout when they scored their lone run of the day in the bottom of the fourth inning. Indiana third baseman Jennilee Huddleston started the inning with a double and was eventually driven home two batters later by first baseman Rachel Terry.
Reynolds took the win for Penn State, putting her record at 11-8 for the year. She struck out three batters in five innings of work. Indiana??s Jennifer Moore recorded the loss, she is now 5-10 on the season.
Penn State will celebrate senior day on Sunday at noon vs. Purdue. Seniors Kelsey Francisco (State College, Pa.), Kari Lucas (Centre Hall, Pa.), Jen Williams (Stillwater, Okla.) and Meghan Wolfer (Northampton, Pa.) will all be honored before the contest. Sunday??s doubleheader will also feature a pizza party between games. Nittany Lion Field is located at the corner of University Drive and Park Avenue. Admission to all softball games is free.