Cale tosses shutout as YSU sweeps Detroit

Staff report

Detroit

Senior Cheryl Cale fired an impressive two-hit shutout with five strike outs to lead the Youngstown State softball team to a 2-0 victory and a three-game series sweep of Horizon League rival Detroit on Thursday afternoon at Buysse Ballpark.

The Penguins improved to 12-22 overall and 5-4 in the Horizon League. Youngstown State’s four-game winning streak is its first since the 2006 season.

Cale, who picked up her sixth victory and second shutout of the season, retired the first 10 Detroit batters she face and out-dueled Ttitans starter Kara Spinelli, who cooled off the Penguins’ hot bats, scattering nine hits and striking out two.

Youngstown State sophomore Kristen Philen gave Cale all the offense she would need when she belted a solo home run — her second round-tripper of the season — in the top of the second inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, after singles by senior Autumn Grove and freshman Caroline Krombach, sophomore Haley Thomas added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to score Grove.

Junior Kim Klonowski went 3 for 4 with a double, her 13th of the season.

The Penguins return home to play host to Wright State in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday at McCune Park. First pitch of Saturday’s doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.