March 26, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State University softball team (23-8) extended its win-streak to a season-high 11 games today as the Nittany Lions opened the home portion of their 2008 schedule. PSU made it 26-straight victories over Saint Francis (Pa.) University (8-18) as the won 5-4 and 9-1 (6). Senior Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) had an outstanding day as she hit a game-winning grand slam in game one and pitched a complete game two hitter in the second contest.
In the first game the Nittany Lions got off to a slow start as the Red Flash built a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the sixth and held PSU to only one hit all game. PSU got things going with a one-out single by junior Kayce Zielinski (Arlington, Texas/Kennedale) to center field followed by a walk by sophomore Kimi Wong (Goleta, Calif./Don Pueblos) and another single from senior Rebecca Bautista (Elk Grove, Calif./Elk Grove). This brought to the plate Esparza who with a 1-2 count blasted a shot to deep center field to give the Nittany Lions a 5-4 lead with just one inning to play.
Redshirt freshman Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) would come in and shut the door on the Red Flash as she notched three straight outs to end Saint Francis' chance. Hill went the distance while striking out three and allowing just one walk.
Esparza led at the plate going 2-for-3 with the four RBIs while Zielinski picked up the other RBI in the fourth by drawing a bases loaded walk.
In the second game the offense found its rhythm as the bats came alive for PSU. Junior's Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad) and Zielinski went 3-for-4 with one and two RBIs, respectively. Junior Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and sophomore Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The Nittany Lions had a total of 13 hits and scored nine runs in the game as Esparza did the work on the mound. Esparza struck out nine batters in six innings of work while allowing just two hits.
The Nittany Lions will next be in action this Friday, March 28 at 4 p.m. as they travel to Purdue University for their Big Ten opener.