Wolverines take bite out of Penguins

A 4-0 no-hitter loss to Michigan pushed Youngstown State (22-26) into the loser's bracket.
By COREY ROEPKEN
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- When the Youngstown State softball team walked away from the University of Michigan's Alumni Field Friday night, they held their heads high knowing they had left a pretty good impression on local fans.
The Penguins did not record a hit in a 4-0 loss to the defending national champion Wolverines, but pitcher Karlie Burnell and her defensive teammates acquitted themselves well in their first appearance in the NCAA tournament.
"We did our best, but sometimes stuff doesn't go our way," said Burnell, who allowed three earned runs, five hits and six walks. "If we play them again, I think it would just get better and better."
Fourth time
Youngstown State will play a familiar opponent, Kent State, in an elimination game today at 2:30 p.m. Kent State won all three other meetings this season, but if the Penguins can win today's game, they'll play again at 5 p.m. against the loser of the noon game between Michigan and Oklahoma, which will be televised on ESPN2.
Michigan senior pitcher Jennie Ritter allowed only one base runner and faced the minimum while striking out 15 batters. Sophomore first baseman Becky Hibner was the Penguins' only base runner as she drew a one-out walk in the first inning. She was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.
Youngstown State (22-26) never hit a ball out of the infield. Senior shortstop Tiffany Patteson was the only batter to put the ball in play more than once as she grounded out to second base in the first and fourth innings.
"We weren't used to seeing that much movement," Hibner said. "We were all aware she was throwing a no-hitter. Everybody wanted to be the person to break it up, but we couldn't try too hard and push things."
Lead for good
Michigan took the lead for good in the second inning on Alessandra Giampaolo's solo home run. The Wolverines made it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly in the third and scored two runs on Giampaolo's single in the fifth. The hit was going to score only one run, but center fielder Beth Hafley overran the ball which allowed another runner to score from first.
Burnell and Hibner said the Penguins did not feel overwhelmed despite the underdog situation.
"They were more nervous when we came out here [Thursday] for practice," Youngstown State coach Christy Cameron said. "I'm sure there were a little bit of nerves, but I would be worried if there weren't any nerves for this game or any game. If there's nerves you know the kids care and they want to go out and do their best."
Michigan coach Carol Hutchins agreed. Though she thought her team was nervous as well, she said she was impressed with the Penguins' performance. A sometimes-potent Michigan offense managed five hits -- two fewer than its average.
"I thought Youngstown State was very composed," Hutchins said. "They showed great poise and played good softball."