March 8, 2008
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Penn State University softball team (9-5) used a pair of strong pitching performances and some key hits to go 2-0 in the second day of the USF Under Armour Invitational. The Nittany Lions defeated Jacksonville University in a game that was continued from last night 2-0 and then took on the University of Maine winning 5-1.
In game one, Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) went the full 7.0 innings picking up 10 strikeouts and allowing only three hits. Six Nittany Lions picked up hits including Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape), Esparza, Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad), Hollee Haines (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King), Rebecca Bautista (Elk Grove, Calif./Elk Grove) and Jen Acunto (Hollywood, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas).
Esparza picked up the only RBIs of the game as she hit a towering shot to left field in the third inning to give PSU the win.
In game two, Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) got the nod as she pitched 7.0 innings while striking out 11 and allowing just four hits.
Griffith, Haines, Acunto and Desi Giordano (West Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell) all picked up two hits in the win while Haines picked up two RBIs while hitting a homerun to right centerfield.
The Nittany Lions will return to action tomorrow, March 9, at 9:00 a.m. as they take on N.C. State.