Feb. 15, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Penn State softball team put up a good effort, but fell to No. 9 California, 4-0 at the Carolina Classic. The Nittany Lions are now 4-2 on the season while the Bears improve to 7-1.
Cal struck early as Jamia Reid came in to score off a Gina Liomiti single down the right field line with one out. Penn State ended the inning with a line drive catch and a strike out. The Bears scored for the second time in the bottom of the third with the bases loaded when Valerie Arioto reached first on a walk. With one down and the bases still juiced the Bears' scoring threat was still very much alive, but the Nittany Lions minimized the damage and closed out the inning with an infield fly and fly out to left field.
The Bears crossed the plate twice in the fifth, first with a lead off homerun by Jamia Reid. After reaching first on an error, Nikki Schrey scored an unearned run as Sanoe Kekahuna provided the sacrifice fly to center field.
The Nittany Lions had opportunities in the second and seventh with the bases loaded and two outs, but the solid pitching of Marissa Drewrey diffused both situations. Drewrey all but silenced the Penn State bats allowing only one hit throughout the contest.
Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif.) got the only hit off Drewrey with a single in the top of the seventh. Junior pitcher Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif.) struck out four batters in five innings of work to take the loss bringing her record to 1-3.
The Nittany Lions will close out the Carolina Classic later today at 3 p.m. ET when they face No. 23 and host North Carolina. Fans can follow the action live via Gametracker at www.GoPSUSports.com.