Phoenix rise for softball sweep of Penguins

By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

CANFIELD

Needing a split of Saturday’s doubleheader for a chance to finish above .500, Lady Luck appeared to be on Youngstown State’s side after consecutive home runs tied the first game, 3-3.

Moments after Amanda Palmore’s two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, Kristen Philen connected off Green Bay’s Katie Cooney.

But the Phoenix rebounded in the seventh inning when Shannon Butts homered off YSU starter Hana Somogyi for a 4-3 victory.

“They did a good job answering, coming back,” YSU coach Brian Campbell said of his team. “Unfortunately, we ended up being on the short end, but I’m proud of how they battled.”

In the second contest, the Phoenix (23-22, 9-13 Horizon League) pounced on YSU starter Casey Crozier for seven runs in the second inning in a 13-3 six-inning victory.

Going into today’s season finale at McCune Park against Green Bay, the Penguins are 22-23, 5-15.

“Honestly, I could not tell you where the ball went,” said Palmore of her first homer of the season. “I was just running.

“The three-run rally was really important, it shows how a team can come together,” Palmore said. “Everyone played their part.”

Philen didn’t think she connected solidly enough for a round trip.

“It was a really high pitch and that’s usually not my pitch to hit,” the Penguins shortstop said. “I was shocked. It was nice to get us going like that.”

Before the doubleheader, the Penguins honored seniors Kim Klonowski (first base), Kristina Rendle (second base) and Erin Gilmour (substitute, Howland) for their final weekend.

“I’m proud of these three seniors,” Campbell said. “They soon will be getting their degrees and going out and representing YSU [well] in their communities.”

Danielle Peerenboom’s RBI double in the third inning and Alli Rivera’s single put the Phoenix ahead, 2-0.

The Phoenix took advantage of a brisk wind blowing to left. Rivera hit a solo homer in the fourth inning.

In the second game, a solo shot by Paige Newtols and a grand slam by Kendra Woepse were major components of Green Bay’s seven-run second inning. Miranda Reinke tripled when she launched the ball into the center-field fence.

“Green Bay swung their bats well,” Campbell said. “They got up underneath there and were able to take a few out.”

In the fifth inning, Cassie Scheel’s two-run homer gave the Phoenix a 9-3 lead. Green Bay added three runs in the sixth inning to shorten the game on the eight-run rule.

Jordan Ingalls’ two-run homer gave YSU the early lead in the second game.

“We’re a hard-working team so it’s kind of tough to go out the way we did,” Philen said. “I’m excited for what’s to come in the next season.”

After relieving Somogyi in the seventh inning of the first game, Crozier pitched into the fifth inning, giving up 11 hits. Haley Knight pitched one inning before Somogyi returned to get the final two outs.