March 9, 2008
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Penn State University softball team (9-7) fell victim to two tough opponents and some untimely errors in the final day of the Under Armour Invitational. PSU took on N.C. State (13-12) in the first contest dropping a 4-3 decision after nine innings. In game two the Nittany Lions took on host USF (15-8) and lost 2-0.
Junior Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad) had an outstanding first game going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Senior's Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) and Hollee Haines (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King) along with freshman Desi Giordano (West Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell) and junior Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) all added a hit a piece.
Redshirt-freshman Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) started the game in the circle pitching 5.1 innings with five strikeouts and two hits allowed while Esparza finished out the game picking up the loss while striking out eight.
In game two, the Nittany Lions could only muster three hits coming from Esparza, senior Jenn Reynolds (Clovis, Calif./Clovis) and junior Shana Madura (Slate Hill, N.Y./Minisink Valley). Once again the pitching was consistent as Esparza started the game going 5.0 innings while striking out five before allowing Hill to take over to strike out four in the final two innings.
Esparza once again picked up the loss as her record fell to 4-5 on the year.
The Nittany Lions will return to action Wednesday, March 12, at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. as they take on Radford and Fordham.