April 26, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Then Penn State softball team put up a better fight this afternoon against Purdue, but it wasn't enough as the Boilermakers took the win in a 3-2 decision. Penn State is now 17-23 overall and 5-9 in Big Ten play while Purdue improves to 26-17 and 9-7 in conference. Senior center fielder Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had the top performace for the Lions going 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI single and a run scored.
Purdue got started in the third at Lian Horiuchi took a pitch to the leg to reach first and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Molly Garst. A wild pitch allowed her easy access to third and she came in to score on a Penn State throwing error with two outs. Fortunately, the damage was minimal as junior pitcher Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif.) struck out the next batter to retire the inning.
The Lions got on board in the bottom of the fourth as Hovanec reached on a fielder's choice and worked her way around to third with a stolen base and a wild pitch. Senior second baseman Kayce Zielinski (Arlington, Texas) then stepped up to the plate and ripped a single through the right side to score Hovanec.
The Boilermakers answered in the fifth as Kelly Miller reached on a lead off single up the middle. A sac by Horiuchi sent her to second and a single by Garst gave her access to the plate as she used her speed to beat out the throw.
But Penn State wasn't done yet as another run was added to the total in the bottom of the frame. Hill reached on a walk and advanced to second as senior first baseman Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif.) was served her second walk of the day. A single by Hovanec through the right side score Hill as the Lions tied the game up at two.
Unfortunately, a lead off home run by Horiuchi in the top of the seventh would be the last run scored as Purdue won the game, 3-2, and swept the series.
Penn State scored two runs off three hits while committing one error and leaving six on base. Purdue scored three runs with seven hits and left eight on base. Hill had another solid performance for the Lions striking out five Boilermakers, but the loss brings her to 12-9 on the year.
The Nittany Lions will return to the diamond for a mid-week double header at Michigan State on Wednesday at 3 p.m.