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Green Bay spoils YSU Senior Day
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The Youngstown State softball team had a hard time keeping Wisconsin-Green Bay lead-off batter Hailey Mohrfeld off the bases during a three-game weekend series.
The Penguins also had a hard time figuring out how to keep Miranda Spangberg in the park.
Spangberg contributed two hits and three runs batted in, and she hit her third home run in as many games as the Phoenix won, 7-3, on Penguins Senior Day Saturday at the YSU Softball Complex.
Mohrfeld had two hits, reached base three times and scored a run in the final Horizon League home game for YSU (17-27, 7-10).
The Penguins’ only senior, pitcher Kayla Haslett (4-10), took the loss as she lasted three innings and was charged with five of the Phoenix’ seven runs.
“Every year when you go through you always hate to see young ladies leave,” YSU head coach Brian Campbell said. “Haslett’s always been a competitor, is just a great young lady and I’m just so proud to say I had an opportunity to coach her for four years here.”
Green Bay’s Alyssa Johnson got the Phoenix (16-22, 8-9) on the board first with a solo shot in the second inning.
A three-run homer by Spangberg highlighted Green Bay’s four-run third inning as they built a 5-0 advantage.
“We were in the same boat last year, having to win league games at the end of the season so to take two of three games this weekend against YSU, especially on the road is really big,” Spangberg said. “It’s coming together for us right now and we’re just doing a great job of getting done what needs to be done.
“We knew that we had to hit the ball hard and get runners in scoring position just to have a chance to win, and we did it.”
Mohrfeld went 9 for-12 against the Penguins with a home run, four runs scored and two RBIs. She said Friday’s 6-1 loss to YSU in the nightcap after winning the opening game served as a gut check.
“After our second game yesterday we really weren’t happy with the way we played,” Mohrfeld said. “We knew we could do better
“We only have two conference series left and we want to get as many wins as possible so we’re put in a really good position for the tournament.”
Penguins lead-off hitter Sarah Dowd cranked her team-leading ninth home in the third inning to cut the Green Bay lead to 5-1.
Allie Taylor’s double highlighted the Phoenix’ two-run sixth frame as they increased their lead to 7-1.
A solo shot by Cali Mikovich in the fifth frame, her seventh of the year and Miranda Castiglione’s fourth homer to lead off the final inning rounded out the scoring for YSU.
Heather Sanderson (7-8) picked up the win for Green Bay, going six innings and scattering nine hits but allowing two of YSU’s three solo home runs.