March 28, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Penn State University softball team (23-9, 0-1 Big Ten) opened up its 2008 Big Ten schedule with a tough road match-up with Purdue University (22-8, 1-0 Big Ten). The two teams battled back-and-forth throughout the game with the Boilermakers prevailing following a seventh-inning run, 5-4.
Penn State was the first to strike taking an early 1-0 lead off a pair of doubles in the top of the first by senior Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) and freshman Desi Giordano (West Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell). Purdue would respond with a two-run homer in the bottom half to take a lead of its own. Things settled down for the next two innings before PSU would strike again in the fourth when Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) doubled to score Carnie Smith (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington).
The Nittany Lions would add one more in the top of the fifth to take a 3-2 lead when Giordano hit an RBI single through the right side. Purdue would not be deterred as they came back for two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-3 lead.
The fight would not stop there as PSU struck again in the sixth as Esparza hit an RBI single up the middle to tie the ballgame. Purdue would get the last look at the ball in the bottom of the seventh and with the bases loaded and only one out they were able to convert a fielder's choice into the game-winning run.
On the day both Esparza and Giordano had two hits including a double each. Hovanec had the only other PSU hit with her RBI double.
Esparza also did the work on the mound going the complete 6.1 innings while striking out three and walking four.
The Nittany Lions will next be in action tomorrow at noon as they continue their series with Purdue University.