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Missed opportunities costly as YSU softball team drops two
Missed opportunities costly
as YSU loses doubleheader
By STEVE WILAJ
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State stranded nine runners in game one and mustered just two hits in game two of a doubleheader against Wright State on Friday, as the Penguins fell 5-3 and 2-0 at the YSU softball complex.
“We had our chances in the first game to score a couple of runs and missed out,” YSU head coach Brian Campbell said. “Then we came up in a really good pitchers’ duel in the second game and they got the clutch hit.
“But at the end of the day the kids know tomorrow’s a new day.”
The Raiders (13-26, 8-4 Horizon League) jumped on the Penguins (21-19, 6-6) early in the first game and survived a late YSU rally.
Trailing 5-0 in the sixth inning, YSU loaded the bases with no outs on a Courtney Ewing single, Miranda Castiglione double and Sarah Ingalls walk. But the Penguins scored only one run — n a fielder’s choice by Katie Smallcomb — off WSU starter Krystian DeWitt (8-10).
“We were finally able to come through and put some base runners on,” Campbell said. “That’s all you can ask for.”
After a two-run home run by Maria Lacatena to begin the seventh, YSU once again loaded the bases, but again failed to capitalize. Down 5-3, Samantha Snodgrass grounded out to third to end the Penguins’ rally.
Casey Crozier (12-6) took the loss on the mound, as she allowed five runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings. She walked two and gave up five hits.
“She struggled a little, but it happens to every pitcher,” Lacatena said. “I thought she threw all right and hit her spots, but [Wright State] just got their hits.
“And it was frustrating [leaving runners on base], but we felt that we were going to eventually execute, so we tried to keep our heads up. That game we fell short, but we came back determined for the second one.”
Game two stayed scoreless for the first six innings as YSU’s Kayla Haslett and WSU’s Montana Wear were locked in a duel. Wear allowed just two hits and Haslett gave up six.
“Kayla was doing very well with every pitch and warmed up very well,” Lacatena said. “I could tell everything was working and she did a phenomenal job.”
The Raiders finally got to Haslett (7-6) in the top of the seventh when singles by Kortney Tackett and Alexis Mayle put runners on first and second with two outs. Jess Gorman then ripped a two-run triple into the right-center field gap.
“You’ve got to give them credit for coming up with the clutch hit there,” Campbell said.
Wear (5-15) retired the Penguins in order in the seventh. She stuck out three and walked just one in seven scoreless innings.
“Coming in, we knew she was more of an outside pitcher, so we worked on it this week,” Lacatena said. “We got a couple hits here and there, but she made it tough.”
YSU will close out the series with Wright State at noon today.
“In our team meeting we were pretty upset about this game, but we’re going to bounce back,” Lacatena said. “I have faith in our team. We’ll keep our heads up and tomorrow’s a new day.”