Penguins sweep Toledo in softball twinbill

By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

CANFIELD

Despite Thursday’s overcast skies, sunshine broke through on the Youngstown State University softball team.

Since leaving Florida on March 18 to begin the Northern portion of their schedule, the Penguins have suffered six conference losses and numerous rainouts.

That cloud evaporated over McCune Park as the Penguins (17-13) swept the Toledo Rockets (5-25) by scores of 4-3 and 10-0.

In the opener, Casey Crozier scattered five hits while substitute catcher Amanda Palmore drove in three runs.

Jordan Ingalls’ first-inning three-run homer combined with Hana Somogyi’s first career shutout paced the Penguins in round two.

“It’s really nice to get a non-conference [doubleheader] in to get us going,” YSU coach Brian Campbell said. “We’re fighting with some adversity with injuries.”

The Penguins added another player to the injured list in the first game when a a bad hop struck shortstop Kristen Philen in the face.

To replace her, Campbell sent catcher Vicki Rumph to third base, moved Samantha Snodgrass to shortstop and inserted Palmore into the lineup.

“Vick played third all last year,” Campbell said. “The big switch was Samantha moving from third to shortstop. I thought she did a wonderful job.”

After the Rockets took a 1-0 lead, Palmore came to bat in the bottom of the fourth inning with the bases loaded and two outs.

She sent a 1-1 pitch from Jen Solanics into left field to put YSU ahead, 2-1.

“I was nervous,” said Palmore of her first at-bat. “I’ve been playing this game my whole life, but it doesn’t change.

In the fifth inning, the Penguins snapped a 2-2 tie when Snodgrass and Palmore drew bases-loaded walks for a 4-2 lead.

“It’s a really tough situation, but it inspires you to play,” Palmore said of Philen’s injury.

A freshman, Snodgrass downplayed her relocation.

“I played short in high school so it wasn’t that new to me,” said Snodgrass, who added that winning “was much better than what was happening. I felt that we played with a lot more heart and desire.”

Crozier (10-7) struck out six and walked two.

Two Rockets errors in the YSU’s first at-bat helped the Penguins roll in the second contest.

Ingalls launched a 1-1 pitch off Whitney Young over the right-field fence for a 3-0 lead.

“To be honest, I was kind of mad at myself because I didn’t get the bunt down,” said Ingalls of her first strike.

Ingalls said she was unsure if the ball had enough juice to clear the fence. “A lot of time I do, but I didn’t,” Ingalls said. “I’ve been struggling the last couple of games [but] I did feel good contact and I was happy with that.”

Somogyi gave up two hits in the five-inning game.

“We were loose today and we played so much better,” Somogyi said. “That’s how we played in Florida.”