April 24, 2008
KENT, Ohio - The Penn State University softball team (32-17) traveled to Kent, Ohio today (April 23) to take on the Golden Flashes of Kent State University (32-10) in the team's last non-conference doubleheader of the season. The Nittany Lions dropped game one 9-2 before shutting out KSU 2-0. Redshirt freshman Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) put together an outstanding performance in game two holding the Flashes to just two hits over an eight-inning span.
The doubleheader started with an offensive onslaught by KSU who put up three runs in the first followed by two more in the fourth and four more in the sixth. Their sophomore pitcher Kylie Reynolds also held the Penn State bats in check as she struck out 13 on way to her victory.
Junior Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad) led all PSU hitters with a 2-for-4 performance with a double and a two-run homer that accounted for PSU's only runs. Sophomore Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) also went 2-for-4 with a run scored while senior Jen Acunto (Hollywood, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) went 2-for-3 with a double.
Senior Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) took the loss going 3.1 innings while striking out four. She was relieved by senior Jenn Reynolds (Clovis, Calif./Clovis) who went the remaining 2.2 innings while registering one strikeout.
In game two it was all about dominant pitching and flawless defense. Hill pitched a complete game plus one extra inning while striking out seven and allowing just two hits. Kinley along with junior Shana Madura (Slate Hill, N.Y./Minisink Valley) led the PSU bats as they each went 2-for-3. Kinley also added two stolen bases to give her eight on the year.
The Nittany Lions would get the decisive hit off the bat of junior Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) who drove in two runs in the top of the eighth to give PSU a 2-0 victory.
The Nittany Lions will return to action this Friday, April 25 at 6:00 p.m. as they host Northwestern.