Feb. 27, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Penn State softball team started the NFCA Leadoff Classic on the right foot defeating No. 13 DePaul 4-1. Penn State is now 5-4 on the season while DePaul falls to 9-3. Leading the way for the Nittany Lions were Sam Hovanec with two RBI and Jackie Hill striking out seven in the one-hitter.
The Blue Demons struck first with their leadoff batter scoring early in the first inning. Amber Patton reached first on an error and worked her way to third after stealing second and advancing on a sacrifice bunt. With one out, Becca Heteniak sent a fly ball to left field to bring Patton in for the run. Penn State closed out the inning with a ground out.
The next few innings went by smoothly as the pitchers duel continued. No more than four batters graced the batters box before the half inning was retired. Christana Crivellaro got a single in the third to left field before the inning closed with a ground out to third. Danielle Kinley got a base hit of her own in the fourth, but remained on first as the inning ended with two strike outs.
When Kayce Zielinksi got things started in the bottom of the fifth with a single up the middle. Carnie Smith came in to pinch run, but was caught stealing second. The inning ended with a fly out to left field and a ground out to short stop.
The Nittany Lions started the sixth off on the right foot and Lisa Akamine reached first on a error and advanced to third when Kinley reached first on an error. Desi Giordano got on base as well taking a pitch to the ankle to load the bases with one out. Jackie Hill entered the box and placed a single between short and left field to score Akamine. Zielinski then got a single of her own to score both Kinley and Giordadno. Sam Hovanec then fired a double down the left field line to bring Hill across the plate. DePaul closed out the inning with a strikeout and a ground out, but the damage had been done as Penn State brought the score to 4-1.
With two on and no outs in the top of the sevevnth, DePaul threatened to close the gap, but the Nittany Lions kept their cool and retired the inning with two strike outs and a fly out to left field for the first upset of the year.
Penn State will return to the diamond shortly to face off with Nebraska at 4 p.m. Fans can follow the action live via Gametracker at www.GoPSUSports.com.