April 26, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State University softball team (32-19, 5-9 Big Ten) once again took #12 Northwestern University (31-10, 15-1 Big Ten) to the edge but fell just shy as a solo homerun in the seventh pushed the Wildcats to victory, 6-5. The Nittany Lions put together a total team effort including throwing three different pitchers and getting base hits from both the top and bottom of the lineup.
The Nittany Lions struck first as they pushed across a run in the bottom of the second. Redshirt freshman Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) started the inning with a hit by pitch and was moved to second on a passed ball. Junior Kayce Zielinski (Arlington, Texas/Kennedale) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move her to third and Hill scored during the next at bat off a wild pitch.
Northwestern responded in the very next inning tying the game at 1-1 off an RBI single. The next action would happen in the fifth inning as the Wildcats hit back-to-back-to-back homeruns to push their lead to 5-1.
The Nittany Lion offense responded in the sixth as they converted four hits into four runs to tie the game at five. Zielinski would highlight the inning with a two RBI single to right field.
Northwestern got the deciding run in the top of the seventh on a solo homerun to give them a 6-5 lead and eventual victory.
Senior Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) picked up the loss as she pitched one inning of relief while giving up just one run. Hill started in the circle going 5.0 innings with four strikeouts and one walk. The third pitcher to work for the Nittany Lions was senior Jenn Reynolds (Clovis, Calif./Clovis) who pitched one inning holding the Wildcats scoreless and walking two.
Sophomore Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape), Hill, Zielinski and junior Shana Madura (Slate Hill, N.Y./Minisink Valley) all registered hits in the game while Zielinski and Madura picked up RBIs. Junior Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad) also reached base three times on a pair of walks and a hit by pitch.
The Nittany Lions will return to action tomorrow, April 27 at noon as they host Michigan State in the final doubleheader of the season at Nittany Lion Field.