YSU softball rallies in opener for a wild 14-12 win at Toledo

TOLEDO — Kim Klonowski’s grand slam helped Youngstown State battle back from a huge deficit, as the Penguins defeated Toledo, 14-12, in the first game of a non-conference softball doubleheader Wednesday at Scott Park.

The Penguins lost the second game, 13-5.

YSU (6-19) trailed 11-3 after four innings of the opener after the Rockets scored nine runs.

But the Penguins scored five runs in the fifth inning — three on a home run by Kristin Bair — to trail 12-8 entering the sixth.

Becky Hibner opened the inning with a walk, but was forced out at second by Bair.

Katy Potokar followed with a double, then McKenzie Bedra was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Jamie Fornal’s single scored one run, the Klonowski followed with her grand slam to center field (her first homer of the season), to give the Penguins a 13-12 lead.

YSU added an insurance run in the seventh on a Bair single, and Cheryl Cale (3-5), who came on in relief in the fourth inning, retired the Rockets to finish the game, allowing only a leadoff single by Keri Gallagher.

Potokar had three hits, including a double, for YSU, while Bair had two hits and four RBIs. Rochelle Vanyi homered and doubled, and she and Bethany Hafley drove in two runs apiece.

Toledo (9-16) had an eight-run rally in the third inning of the nightcap to take a 10-3 lead and finished off the Penguins in five innings.

Fornal had two hits, including a triple, and three RBIs for Youngstown State in the second game, and Vanyi singled twice. Autumn Grove and Kristen McDonnell had doubles.

Youngstown State returns to McCune Park Saturday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Wright State. The Horizon League series concludes Sunday at 11 a.m. with a single game.