| Rain Cancels Softball Series Finale at UW-Green Bay |
| Sunday, April 30 2006 |
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| Green Bay, Wis. -- Rainy weather conditions has cancelled the softball series finale between the Youngstown State softball team and UW-Green Bay. The Penguins are back in action against Akron, Wednesday, May 3, at 3 p.m. in Akron, Ohio. |
| Burnell, McDonnell Lead Penguins to Split with UWGB |
| Sunday, April 30 2006 |
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| Green Bay, Wis. -- Junior Karlie Burnell fired a complete-game three hitter with four strikeouts and freshman Kristen McConnell went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run to lead the Youngstown State softball team (17-21, 9-8 Horizon League) to a 3-1 victory over UW-Green Bay (9-19, 6-10 Horizon League) in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday. The Penguins lost game two, 4-3. In the top of the first, sophomore Becky Hibner walked and scored on McDonnell's eighth home run of the season to put the Penguins ahead, 2-0. Senior Lacey Hess, who went 2-for-3, singled home Lacy Bronson to give Youngstown State a 3-0 advantage in the top of the second inning. In the top of the first in game two, McDonnell slammed her ninth home run of the season, a three-run blast, to scored Tiffany Patteson and Becky Hibner, who singled and reached on an error, respectively. The Phoenix, however, scored two runs in the bottom of the third and two more in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out the 4-3 victory. Youngstown State and UW-Green Bay concluded the series, Sunday, at 11 a.m. |
| Bedra Ties Single-Game Hit Record in Split With Ohio |
| Thursday, April 27 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Sophomore McKenzie Bedra tied a school record with four hits, including a two-run home run, and drove in five runs to lead the Youngstown State softball team (16-20) to an 8-6 victory over Ohio (24-31) in game one of a doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at McCune Park. The Penguins lost the nightcap, 4-2. After Ohio scored once in the top of the first, Bedra lined a two-out single to right to plate Becky Hibner to tie the game, 1-1. The Bobcats used a three-run second to take a 4-1 advantage but the Penguins, who banged out 14 hits, answered with a four-run second inning to pull ahead, 5-4. Back-to-back doubles by Lacey Hess, who had three hits, and Tiffany Patteson cut the Bobcat lead in half, 4-2. Hibner walked for the second time and Kristen McDonnell singled to center field to plate Patteson and slice the deficit to 4-3. Jamie Fornal walked to load the bases and Bedra lined another single to right field to score Hibner and McDonnell to put the Penguins ahead. Ohio's Robin Miller two-out double retied the game at 5-5 in the third inning. In the bottom of the fourth Bedra gave the Penguins the lead for good with her second home run of the season and put YSU ahead, 7-5. The Bobcats added a run in the top of the sixth but YSU's Sarah Conklin two-out single to left field plated pinch-runner Lacy Bronson with the game's final run. In the second game, the Penguins mustered just six hits in the 4-2 loss. Patteson and McDonnell each went 2-for-4. Youngstown State visits UW-Green Bay, Saturday, April 29, at 2 p.m. |
| Patteson Sets YSU Hits Record in Split at Detroit |
| Saturday, April 22 2006 |
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| Detroit, Mich. -- Senior Tiffany Patteson became Youngstown State's all-time hits leader (210) with a 3-for-4 performance in a 3-2 nine-inning victory over Detroit in game one of a Horizon League softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. The Penguins dropped game two, 3-2, in eight innings. Patteson broke the old record of 208 held by Amanda Berry who played for YSU from 2001-04. The Penguins improve to 14-17 overall and 7-5 in the Horizon League while Detroit falls to 11-24 overall and 7-5 in the Horizon League. The Penguins, who pounded out 14 hits, trailed 1-0 heading into the seventh inning but tied the game at 1-1 on Becky Hibner's run-scoring single which plated Bethany Hafley. In the top of the ninth inning Allyse Ledford, who went 3-for-4, led off the inning with a single. Sarah Conklin, who ran for Ledford, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Lacy Bronson and later scored on Lacey Hess' single to left field. Patteson then knocked in Hafley, who singled, with her third hit of the game to put the Penguins ahead, 3-1. Detroit added a run in the bottom of the ninth to round out the scoring. Junior Karilie Burnell picked up her eighth win over the season by scattering seven hits and striking out six Titans. In the nightcap, Detroit's Michelle Baggio belted a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Titans to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory. The Penguins led 2-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh but the Titan tied the game with two runs. Christina Bienenstein belted her first home run of the year, a solo shot, to cut the Penguins lead in half, 2-1. Kristin Martin's RBI-single to left scored Amanda Bley with the game tying run. In the top of the third, Hibner's single to right field scored Hess, who singled to right field. The Penguins added another run in the top of the sixth on Kristen McDonnell's seventh home run of the season. The Penguins and Titans conclude the series, Sunday, at 1 p.m. |
| Pitching Gems Guide Penguins to Sweep of Niagara |
| Wednesday, April 19 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Junior Karlie Burnell (7-5) fired a five-hitter with four strikeouts in the opener and classmate Tricia Hilbish (6-7)tossed a one-hitter in the nightcap to lead the Youngstown State softball team to a doubleheader sweep of Niagara, 2-1, and 8-0, in six innings on Wednesday afternoon at McCune Park. In the opener, Burnell retired the first 12 batters she faced before giving up a solo home run to Tori Healy to lead off the top of the fifth inning for the Purple Eagles' lone run. In the bottom of the third, back-to-back doubles by Tiffany Patteson and Becky Hibner and an run-scoring single by Jamie Fornal gave the Penguins a 2-0 advantage. Patteson and Hibner each went 2-for-3 in the opener. In game two, Hibish allowed a two-out walk in the top of the first inning then retired 13 straight before giving up her lone hit in the top of the sixth inning. The Penguins jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Sophomore McKenzie Bedra, who went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, doubled home Becky Hibner, Jamie Fornal scored on a balk and sophomore Shauna Barry singled to center to plate Bedra to give YSU the early edge. In the bottom of the fifth, freshman Kristen McDonnell walked and scored on Bedra's second double of the game to put the Penguins ahead 4-0. Youngstown State added four more runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game. Lacy Bronson singled and stole second then scored on Patteson's single up the middle. McDonnell doubled home Lacey Hess, who walked, and Patteson then scored on Fornal's two-out double to center field. The Penguins visit Horizon League foe Detroit, Saturday, April 22, at 1 p.m. |
| McDonnell Named Horizon League Player of the Week |
| Tuesday, April 18 2006 |
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| Indianapolis, Ind. -- For the second time this season, freshman Kristen McDonnell was named the Horizon League Softball Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday. McDonnell batted .368 with three home runs and five runs batted in. She also recorded a slugging percentage of .842 with five runs scored and three stolen bases. She went 2-for-2 with a homer and two RBI in the Penguins' 5-0 victory over League-leading UIC on Sunday. For the season, McDonnell leads the Penguins with a .370 batting average and six home runs. The Penguins and host Kent State, Tuesday, April 18, at 3 p.m. at McCune Park. |
| Extra-Base Hits, Burnell Shutout Leads YSU Past Flames |
| Tuesday, April 18 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Junior Karlie Burnell scattered nine hits and struck out three to pick up her second shutout of the season and the Penguins smacked six extra-base hits as the Youngstown State softball team (11-14, 6-4 Horizon League) defeated Illinois-Chicago (17-25, 8-3 Horizon League), 5-0, on Saturday morning at McCune Park. Senior Tiffany Patteson, who went 2-for-4, sparked a Penguins leading off bottom of third inning with a double down the left field line. Sophomore Becky Hibner tripled down the right field line to plate Patteson and scored on Kristen McDonnell's sacrifice fly to give YSU a 2-0 advantage. McDonnell, who went 2-for-2 with two RBI, cracked her sixth home run of the season, a solo shot, in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Penguins ahead, 3-0. In the bottom of the sixth, back-to-back doubles by Bethany Hafley and Lacy Bronson, who ripped two doubles, gave the Penguins a 4-0 lead and a two-out single by senior Lacey Hess scored Bronson with YSU's fifth run. The Penguins and host Kent State, Tuesday, April 18, at 3 p.m. at McCune Park. |
| Extra-Base Hits, Burnell Shutout Leads YSU Past Flames |
| Sunday, April 16 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Junior Karlie Burnell scattered nine hits and struck out three to pick up her second shutout of the season and the Penguins smacked six extra-base hits as the Youngstown State softball team (11-14, 6-4 Horizon League) defeated Illinois-Chicago (17-25, 8-3 Horizon League), 5-0, on Saturday morning at McCune Park. Senior Tiffany Patteson, who went 2-for-4, sparked a Penguins leading off bottom of third inning with a double down the left field line. Sophomore Becky Hibner tripled down the right field line to plate Patteson and scored on Kristen McDonnell's sacrifice fly to give YSU a 2-0 advantage. McDonnell, who went 2-for-2 with two RBI, cracked her sixth home run of the season, a solo shot, in the bottom of the fifth inning to put the Penguins ahead, 3-0. In the bottom of the sixth, back-to-back doubles by Bethany Hafley and Lacy Bronson, who ripped two doubles, gave the Penguins a 4-0 lead and a two-out single by senior Lacey Hess scored Bronson with YSU's fifth run. The Penguins and host Kent State, Tuesday, April 18, at 3 p.m. at McCune Park. |
| Penguins Fall to Cleveland State, 3-1 |
| Thursday, April 13 2006 |
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| Cleveland, Ohio -- Cleveland State's Michelle Penney hit a two-strike, two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and lift the Vikings (20-7, 5-2 Horizon League) past the Youngstown State softball team (10-12, 5-2 Horizon League), on Wednesday evening at Viking Field. In the top of the second inning, freshman Allyse Ledford doubled to lead off the frame and scored on McKenzie Bedra' infield single to the Penguins a 1-0 advantage. The Vikings tied the contest in the bottom half of the second on Kaitlin Guyette's two-out solo home run, her first of the season. Penney's game-winning home run was also her first of the year. Junior Tricia Hilbish scattered eight hits and struck out three in the hard-luck loss. Youngstown State host UIC, Friday, April 14, at 1 p.m. |
| Penguins Use Long Ball to Gain Split at Robert Morris |
| Wednesday, April 12 2006 |
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| Moon Township, Pa -- Sophomore Jamie Fornal went 2-for-2 with two runs batted in and hit one of three Penguin home runs to lift the Youngstown State softball team (10-11) to a 6-4 victory in game two of a doubleheader split against Robert Morris Monday afternoon at North Athletic Complex. The Penguins lost game one, 5-4. The Penguins jumped in front early with two runs in the top of the first inning. Freshman Kristen McDonnell walked and stole second with two outs and scored on Fornal's single. Fornal moved to second on the throw home and scored on a single by Allyse Ledford and an error. After the Colonials took the lead, 3-2, with three runs in the bottom half of the first, senior Lacey Hess tied the contest with a solo home run, her third of the year, in the top half of the second frame. The Penguins retook the lead, 5-3, after a McDonnell home run and Fornal scored an unearned run. Fornal's blast, her third of the season, gave the Penguins a 6-3 cushion in the top of the fifth inning. Junior Karlie Burnell picked up her fifth victory of the season, tossing a complete-game six hitter. In the opener, McDonnell, who now has five home runs, went 2-for-4 with a home run and two runs batted in while Ledford went 2-for-3 and Hess hit her second home run of the season. YSU visits Cleveland State in a single game, Wednesday, April 12, at 6 p.m. in Cleveland, Ohio. |
| Penguins Remain Atop Horizon League with Series Sweep of Butler |
| Sunday, April 9 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Youngstown State sophomore Jamie Fornal belted a three-run home run and freshman Allyse Ledford went 3-for-3 with two runs scored as the Penguins (9-10, 5-1 Horizon League)defeated Butler (11-18-1, 1-7 Horizon League), 6-4, on Sunday afternoon to remain in sole possession of first place in the Horizon League. The Penguins jumped out early with a four-run first inning keyed by Fornal's second home run of the season. Ledford doubled and then scored on a single to right field by Megan Bricker, who went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. Ledford gave the Penguins a 5-0 lead after driving in Kristen McDonnell, who went 2-for-3, in the bottom of the third inning and singled and scored on Bricker's double in the bottom of the fifth inning to give YSU a 6-0 advantage. Junior Tricia Hilbish, who picked up her fifth victory of the season, staved off a Butler bases-loaded scoring threat in the top of the third inning and allowed just three hits through the first five innings. Like Saturday, Butler rallied with three runs in the top of the six and one more in the seventh but left the bases loaded in each frame. YSU junior picked up her third save of the season with four strikeouts in the final two innings. The Penguins face Robert Morris, Monday, April 10, at 3 p.m. in Moon Township, Pa. |
| Patteson, McDonnell Homers Lift Penguins to Sweep of Butler |
| Sunday, April 9 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- A three-run home run by Tiffany Patteson in the bottom of the sixth inning broke a 2-2 tie and a two-run blast by Kristen McDonnell two batters later lifted the Youngstown State softball team (8-10, 4-1 Horizon League) to a 7-6 victory over Butler (11-17-1, 1-6 Horizon League) in game one of a Horizon League doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at McCune Park. The Penguins won the night cap, 8-2. With game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Lacy Bronson led off the frame with a bunt single and Bethany Hafley reached on an error attempting to sacrifice Bronson to second. Senior Lacy Hess advanced Bronson and Hafley to third and second successfully prior to Patteson's blast. Sophomore Becky Hibner walked leading up to McDonnell's third home run of the season. Junior Tricia Hilbish picked up her fourth win of the season and junior Karlie Burnell earned her second save of the season after the Bulldogs posted four unearned runs in the top of the seventh for the final outcome, 7-6. Butler got on the board first after a solo home run by Alex Boros in the top of the first inning but the Penguins answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Three straight hits by Hibner, McDonnell and Jamie Fornal loaded the bases and freshman Allyse Ledford picked up the RBI when she was hit by a pitch. After a solo home run by Annie Dolan gave Butler a 2-1 lead in the top of the third, Ledford two-out single to center field plated McDonnell, who led off the inning with a double. In the night cap, Burnell tossed a four-hitter with five strikeouts to collect her fourth victory of the season. The Penguins scored early and often with two runs in the first, two in the second, one in the third and two more in the fourth to take a 7-0 lead. Patteson ripped a two-run triple in the bottom half of the second inning. The Penguins and Bulldogs conclude the series with a single game at 11 a.m. at McCune Park. |
| Hilbish, Patteson Lead Penguins to Split With Canisius |
| Thursday, April 6 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Junior Tricia Hilbish fired a five-hit shutout while senior Tiffany Patteson belted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead the Youngstown State softball team (6-10) to a 2-0 victory in game two of a doubleheader against Canisius on Thursday afternoon at McCune Park. The Penguins dropped the opener, 5-2. In the opener, Canisius hit a two-run home run in the top of the first and another in the top of the second to take a 4-0 lead. The Golden Griffins took a 5-0 advantage with a run in the top of the third inning. YSU got on the board with two runs in the bottom half of the third on Jamie Fornal's two-run single to left field. Youngstown State hosts Butler, Saturday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at McCune Park. |
| Hilbish Named Horizon League Softball Pitcher of the Week |
| Monday, April 3 2006 |
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| Indianapolis, Ind. -- Youngstown State junior Tricia Hilbish has been named the Horizon League Softball Pitcher of the Week, the League announced on Monday. Hilbish helped the Penguins to a 4-1 record last week by going 2-1 in the circle with a .137 earned-run average. She allowed just three earned runs in 15.1 innings pitched and fired seven scoreless innings while allowing four hits in a 5-4 win over Wright State. Hilbish also picked up a victory against Toledo earlier in the week. Youngstown State visits Robert Morris, Tuesday, April 4, at 2 p.m. in Moon Township, Pa. |
| Six-Run Sixth Lifts Wright State Past Penguins, 11-3 |
| Sunday, April 2 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Wright State (1-22, 1-2 Horizon League) used a six-run sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie and added two more in the top of the seventh en route to an 11-3 victory over Youngstown State (5-9, 2-1 Horizon League) on Sunday afternoon at McCune Park. With one out in the top of the sixth, WSU's Bridget Henry doubled to left-center field to score Krissy Kesler and Jacqualine Macy, who each single, to give the Raiders a 5-3 edge. Michelle Logan singled to left field and plated Henry to give the Raiders a 6-3 lead. Amanda Cody then belted a three-run home run to center field to extend Wright State's lead to 9-3. After Wright State scored three unearned runs in the top of the third, the Penguins answered with a three-run frame in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game, 3-3. Lacey Hess was hit by to pitch to lead off the inning and advanced to second on Tiffany Patteson's sacrifice bunt. Becky Hibner singled home Hess and advanced to second on the throw then scored on Kristen McDonnell's single to left field, which cut the deficit to 3-2. Jamie Fornal's single up the middle plated McDonnell and tied the contest at 3-3. Hibner and McDonnell each posted two hits for the Penguins. Youngstown State visits Robert Morris, Tuesday, April 4, at 2 p.m. in Moon Township, Pa. |
| Patteson Sets Doubles Mark in Sweep of Wright State |
| Sunday, April 2 2006 |
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| Canfield, Ohio -- Youngstown State senior Tiffany Patteson broke the YSU career doubles on a walk-off two-bagger to give the Penguins (5-8, 2-0 Horizon League) a 5-4 victory in eight innings in game one of a doubleheader sweep of Wright State (0-22, 0-2 Horizon League) on Saturday afternoon at McCune Park. The Penguins won the night cap, 6-4. Senior Lacey Hess broke a scoreless tie with an run-scoring single, which plated Lacy Bronson, in the bottom of the fifth inning to give YSU a 1-0 advantage. After a Patteson infield single and a walked by freshman Kristen McDonnell, the Penguins added two more runs in the frame following a Raider error. Wright State countered with two runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the YSU lead to 3-2, but Hess' two-out triple down the right field line plated Bronson, who reached on an error, and extended the Penguins' edge to 4-2 after six innings. Wright State, however, tied the contest with two runs in the top of the seventh inning. Junior Tricia Hilbish fired seven scoreless innings to pick up the victory. In the night cap, Hess started the scoring again with her first career home run in the bottom of the third inning and Becky Hibner scored an unearned run later in the frame to give the Penguins a 2-0 lead. The Raiders rallied again and took the lead, 3-2, by plating two runs in the top of the fourth and one in the top of the fifth. Hibner, though, belted a three-run home run after Bethany Hafley single and Patteson reached on an error to retake the lead, 5-3. Hafley drove in an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out single to center field to cushion YSU's advantage to 6-3.. Wright State added one run in the top of the seventh to finish the scoring. YSU and Wright State conclude the three-game series on Sunday at noon. |