April 6, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State University softball team (26-13, 3-5 Big Ten) fell in both games of its home doubleheader versus the University of Iowa (25-12, 4-2 Big Ten), 5-2 and 6-4. Following a 13-0 blowout of Illinois the Nittany Lion offense could never get going as they trailed for 11 of the 14 innings played today.
Senior Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif./San Pedro) pitched the first game going the full 7.0 innings while registering jut one strikeout and allowing four walks. She also led the team at the plate as she went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored with a line-drive solo homerun in the fifth. Junior Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin) picked up the only other RBI as she singled down the left field line to score Desi Giordano (West Caldwell, N.J./Caldwell).
In game two, the offense fired up in the fourth as junior Kayce Zielinski (Arlington, Texas/Kennedale) hit a bases loaded triple to register three RBI. Two other Nittany Lions registered hits including Hovanec and senior Hollee Haines (Riverside, Calif./Martin Luther King).
Redshirt freshman Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) got the start as she went 5.0 innings with three strikeouts and no walks. Senior Jenn Reynolds (Clovis, Calif./Clovis) pitched the remaining 2.0 innings allowing just one hit and striking out one.
The Nittany Lions will next be in action Tuesday, April 8 at 2 p.m. as they host Pittsburgh for a doubleheader at Nittany Lion Field.