Bedra's 4-for-4 aids YSU in split

The Penguins beat Ohio 8-6 in the opener, but dropped the nightcap, 4-2.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- McKenzie Bedra had one of those games that players dream about Wednesday in the Youngstown State softball team's first game of a doubleheader with Ohio University at McCune Park.
Bedra, the sophomore catcher-designated hitter from Bowling Green, was 4-for-4 with a home run, double and five RBIs in YSU's 8-6 victory over the Bobcats.
The Penguins (16-20) dropped the second game, 4-2.
"It was one of those games where everything went right," Bedra said. "Their first pitcher was pretty fast, but the second was a lot slower and I caught hold of one."
Finish year on road
Tuesday's doubleheader was the final regular season home games for the Penguins, who finish out the year on the road before coming back for the Horizon League Tournament May 11-13 at McCune Park.
"We played better today than we did yesterday," said YSU coach Christy Cameron. "Today we hit the ball better and managed to do some of the little things that it takes to win."
"We have to go on the road now the next two weekends and if we can manage to win both series we should put ourselves in a pretty good position going into the tournament," she said.
In fourth place
The Penguins are 8-7 in the Horizon League and in fourth place. They could improve their position greatly with two good series at UW-Green Bay this weekend and at Loyola next weekend.
In Tuesday's opener the Penguins fell behind early 4-1, but rallied for four runs in the second inning to take the lead and never trailed again.
In that second frame the Penguins sent nine batters to the plate and had five hits.
Bedra had a two-run single in the inning, while senior Tiffany Patteson had and RBI double and freshman Kristen McDonnell added a RBI single.
Bedra's home run
After Ohio tied the score at 5 in the third, the Penguins came back with two more in the fourth on Bedra's home run to center field.
They added an insurance run in the sixth after two outs as Bedra doubled to left and Lacy Bronson pinch ran for her and scored on Sarah Conklin's bloop single to left.
Junior Karlie Burnell (10-6) pitched the first five innings to get the win, while junior Tricia Hilbish came on in relief and recorded her first save of the season.
In the second game freshman starter Tasha Hess pitched very well into the fifth inning.
She allowed only four hits over that span, but two of them were home runs and she left the game trailing 3-1.
Hilbish in relief again
Hilbish came on in relief again and after the Penguins had cut the lead to 3-2, she allowed a second home run to Ohio's Shannon Weidner in the seventh inning.
The Penguins had six hits in the second game, two each by Patteson and McDonnell.
Besides Bedra in the opener, senior Lacey Hess had three hits and Patteson two, including a double.
mollica@vindy.com