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Wright State blanks YSU softball team
By JIM FLICK
CANFIELD
YSU coach Brian Campbell says the ball didn’t bounce the right way for the Youngstown State University softball team in Sunday’s 4-0 loss to Wright State at McCune Park.
“Some of the shots we hit today went right to somebody for outs,” Campbell said. “We didn’t take advantage of several opportunities to score runs.”
YSU collected four hits, one single each in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings.
Center fielder Haley Thomas, a sophomore, smacked two of those hits. Shortstop Kristen Philen and left fielder Autumn Grover had the others.
Cheryl Cale (6-12) pitched a complete game for the Penguins, giving up only two earned runs while striking out three. However, the senior also walked seven Raiders hitters and hit another.
The Raiders smacked with seven hits, including a double and a triple. First baseman China Frost, knocked in three runs. Catcher Briauna Birl tripled and singled while left fielder Jamie Perkins doubled and singled.
“They hit the ball well,” Campbell said. “Wright State has a tradition of hitting the ball well. When you play a team that hits the ball well, you have to hit the ball right along with them. And we didn’t.”
Melanie Heyne (7-11) pitched four strong innings for Wright State to earn the win. She walked two batters. Allison Cox replaced Heyne in the fifth to earn her fifth save of the season.
The loss dropped YSU to 12-25, 5-7 Horizon League. Wright State is 16-22, 7-5.
The game was scoreless until the third inning. The Raiders loaded the bases on two walks and an infield error.
Frost tapped a groundball that eluded the Penguin infielders to score two runs.
An inning later, Birl smacked a ball that rolled to the fence in left-center field for a triple. Louie Haney singled for a 3-0 lead.
With half of their conference games to be played, Campbell said success still is possible.
“We do have a lot of home games remaining,” Campbell said. “We have to come out and play hard as a team.”