YSU softball team sweeps doubleheader

By BOB ETTINGER

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

It’s a subtle difference between trying to win a ball game for your team and trying to help your team win a game when there’s a runner at third during a tie game in the home half of the seventh inning.

Youngstown State’s Nikki Saibene somehow not only found a way to make that distinction on Tuesday, but give the Penguins a 6-5 victory to complete a doubleheader sweep of the University of Akron with a walk-off single.

“I went up there with an aggressive mindset,” Saibene said. “I was not going to let the pitcher beat me.

“I wasn’t swinging for the fence. I was just looking to help the team.”

Elizabeth Birkbeck opened the rally with a one-out double to left-center field and moved to third on a single by Alex DeLeon.

“I wouldn’t have minded it going over the fence,” Birkbeck said. “In that type of situation, everybody just has to do their job.

“When you fall short it’s because you’re trying to win the game by yourself. I knew I had Alex and Nikki behind me and they’re good batters. “I just had to get myself on, get that job done. I never felt pressured the whole game. It was a feeling in my gut we were going to win the ballgame. That helped me have confidence at the plate.”

Saibene followed with a single to left-center field to plate Birkbeck for the win.

“I definitely wasn’t thinking about it on the field [in the top of the seventh],” the Penguins’ third baseman said. “I was focused on playing defense and helping my pitcher.

“I wanted to do whatever I could for the team. [Akron pitcher Amaya Smith] was throwing drop balls. I was focused on staying on my legs and getting through the ball.”

Saibene’s game-winner completed a come-from-behind victory as the Penguins (10-17) had trailed, 5-3, through four-and-a-half innings.

“They’re doing a great job making adjustments throughout ballgames and being able to answer,” YSU coach Brian Campbell said. “It’s nice to see them answer.

“It was a great job by the players. Liz had four RBI and was swinging the bat fairly well. I’m glad we were able to win and the girls have been able to start putting everything together.”

The Zips (6-16-2) used a two-run homer from Kimberly Rodriguez and a two-run double from Sydney Jascoe to take a 5-3 lead in the top of the fifth.

Grace Cea’s one-out double led to RBI singles from Birkbeck and DeLeon to knot the score, 5-5, in the bottom of the fifth.

Birkbeck’s three-run double in the third had YSU up, 3-1.

Addy Jarvis twirled a one-hitter in a 2-1 victory in the first game.

“I felt very accurate today,” Jarvis said. “I know I’m wild at times. Today, I was confident in myself and in hitting my spots. I wasn’t trying to do anything special. I wanted to keep the ball in the field and let my teammates do the work.”

Jarvis fanned 11 and allowed just a solo home run to Jascoe in the fourth.

“I didn’t notice (I had a no-hitter going) during the game,” Jarvis said. “I didn’t know until after the game and someone asked me if I knew I was one pitch away. You can’t pitch for no-hitters. If you do, you’ll let the team down. It will happen for some and for some, it doesn’t. As long as we’re winning games, it’s no big deal.”

Saibene was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to plate Tatum Christy and Yazmine Romero’s single scored Birkbeck as the Penguins scored both runs in the second.