Patteson's home run is enough

Karlie Burnell won the second game to give the Penguins a sweep.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CANFIELD -- With the score tied 2-2 in the sixth inning of the first game of a softball doubleheader between Youngstown State University and Butler, YSU's Tiffany Patteson was just looking for a pitch she could elevate.
The Penguins had runners on second and third with one out and Patteson said she just wanted to get the go-ahead run home.
Instead, the senior shortstop hit a towering three-run homer, the longest of her career, well up and over the right field fence to break open the game and propel the Penguins to a 7-6 Horizon League win over the Bulldogs at McCune Park in Canfield.
The Penguins (8-10, 4-1) also captured the second game 8-2 to remain near the top of the Horizon League standings behind a strong pitching performance from Karlie Burnell.
Good day's work
Burnell threw a four-hitter in the nightcap to earn her fourth win against three losses. She also earned her second save of the season in the first game victory.
The Penguins wrap up the series with Butler (11-17-1, 1-6) today at 11 a.m. at McCune Park.
"We take games one at a time," said YSU coach Christy Cameron. "We wanted to get this first game to keep things moving in the right direction and then get the second game.
"Now we will be focusing on [today]."
In Saturday's opener, Patteson's blast gave the Penguins a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kristen McDonnell added a two-run home run in the inning to push the Penguin lead to 7-2.
Although YSU played powerball to gain the lead, it was three consecutive bunts that started the rally.
Base-by-base
Lacy Bronson beat out a bunt single to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bethany Hafley. Hafley was safe at first on the play because of an error and the two runners moved up on another sacrifice bunt by Lacey Hess before Patteson stepped to the plate.
"I used a heavier bat," said Patteson who has a seven-game hitting streak. "The pitcher was a little slower and I got an inside pitch that I was just trying to get into the air.
"All I was looking to do was get the runner home."
YSU needed all five runs that inning as Butler rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh before ending the game on a base-running mistake.
Junior Trisha Hilbush (4-3) got the win, allowing two earned runs. She has an ERA just under 1.00 in her last five starts.
Hilbush yielded two solo homers in the first and third innings and then was flawless until the seventh.
"We ask our pitchers to just keep us in the games and then hopefully we'll score some runs and win games for them," Cameron said. "We got strong pitching performances today."
Key factors
In the second game, the Penguins got solid pitching by Burnell and timely hitting by several players.
YSU scored in every inning except the sixth as they built a 7-0 lead after five innings.
Patteson had a hit and two more RBIs while McDonnell, Jamie Fornal, Allyse Ledford and Becky Hibner each had a hit an an RBI.
"We got some timely hitting and our pitching and defense held us in the games," Cameron said. "If we keep working hard and do those things we will have a shot [at the Horizon League title]."