March 29, 2008
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Penn State University softball team (23-10, 0-2 Big Ten) dropped its second-in-a-row to Purdue University (23-8, 2-0 Big Ten), 4-1. The Nittany Lion's four hits and one run were not enough to overcome the Boilermakers.
PSU got off to an excellent start with redshirt freshman Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) striking out the side in the top of the first. Freshman Desi Giordano (West Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell) would keep the momentum going as she hit a single to left field to score Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) who had reached base on a double.
Purdue would regain its confidence in the second as a single scored two runs to give the Boilermakers a 2-1 lead that they would never relent. A two-run homer in the sixth would solidify Purdue's lead at 4-1.
Griffith, Giordano, senior Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) and junior Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) were the only four Nittany Lions to reach base on a hit while Hill went the distance on the mound.
Hill went 7.0 innings with six strikeouts and only one walk. Hill's record moved to 11-4 while Purdue's Dana Alcocer improved to 13-5.
The Nittany Lions will next be in action tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. as they continue their road trip with a doubleheader at Indiana University.