Turnabout is fair play
By RYAN BUCK
CANFIELD
Sunday afternoon’s doubleheader with Horizon League rival Wright State produced two very different results for the Youngstown State softball team. The Penguins downed the Raiders 10-0 in five innings in game two after suffering the same fate in the first game’s 8-0 defeat.
The victory gave the Penguins (26-13-1, 10-8 Horizon League) their second victory over Wright State (20-26, 8-10) in the three- game series at McCune Park. Coach Brian Campbell’s team took Saturday’s series opener in five innings as well.
“It’s the first time I think in a long time that you go with the run-rule the first day, then we get run-ruled, and turn right around run-rule them. It was a strange series,” Campbell said.
In game one on Sunday, the Penguins were held to two hits by Raiders starting pitcher Krystian DeWitt. Wright State’s leading hitter Kristin Boreing torched the Penguins with a grand slam in the second inning that, along with four YSU errors, broke the game open.
With DeWitt taking the mound for Wright State in game two as well, the Penguins lineup made the right adjustments.
“I think we just knew what she was going to throw. She kind of remained the same, but we kept focused and remained confident,” said Penguins third baseman Samantha Snodgrass. “We blew off the first game and came in new.”
Ahead 1-0 in the third inning, Snodgrass’ two- out, bases-loaded double to the right-centerfield fence cleared the bases. The Penguins were on their way.
“I was really focused, just trying to either get a walk or a hit, whatever the outcome,” she said. “It felt good, helped us get more runs and get the game going.”
YSU added three more in the third on run-scoring singles from Kristen Philen and Sarah Ingalls.
The fourth inning was more of the same. Snodgrass, left-fielder Caroline Krombach, and catcher Vicki Rumph all singled in the three-run frame to finish the scoring.
“They came back, made their adjustments, and hit the ball hard,” Campbell added.
Freshman starting pitcher Kayla Haslett was on her game as well. With effective off-speed stuff, Haslett held the Raiders to five hits and kept them off-balance for most of the afternoon.
“The drop ball was working and I was getting them to chase pitches,” Haslett said.
She worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth with help from her defense and by forcing a harmless flyout to first base.
“I have to remind them they have to have my back,” she laughed.
After losing six straight games to conference leaders Valparaiso and Loyola (Chicago), the Penguins have won five of their last six.