April 30, 2008
AKRON, Ohio - The Penn State University softball team (34-20) traveled to the University of Akron (17-34) for the final non-conference game of the 2008 season. The Nittany Lions defeated the Zips 4-1 off a three-run seventh inning.
Sophomore Kimi Wong (Goleta, Calif./Don Pueblos) got her second win of the season (2-0) going the complete seven innings while striking out three and allowing just one run.
The Nittany Lions struck first in the sixth inning when junior Kayce Zielinski (Arlington, Texas/Kennedale) roped a double to left center that scored freshman Carnie Smith (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) from second. They would strike again in the seventh as sophomore Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) and junior Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad) hit back-to-back doubles followed by a single by senior Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) that would convert into three runs.
The Zips would tack on a run in the bottom of the seventh but it would not be enough as PSU went on to win 4-1.
Kinley led all PSU batters going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Griffith, Zielinski and Esparza would collect the other three RBIs. Eight PSU batters collected hits on the game including Kinley, Zielinski, Griffith, Esparza, junior Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), senior Hollee Haines (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King), senior Jen Acunto (Hollywood, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) and junior Shana Madura (Slate Hill, N.Y./Minisink Valley)
The Nittany Lions return to action Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4 at noon as they close out the season at home against the University of Michigan.