March 7, 2009 | Game One | Game Two

Softball Gains Split on First Day of Rebel Games

    Kissimmee, Fla. -- Senior Allyse Ledford went 2-for-3 with a double and a career-high four runs batted in, and the Youngstown State softball team pounded out 11 hits en route to a 7-3 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Saturday morning at the Rebel Games. The Penguins also dropped a 7-3 decision to Holy Cross earlier in the day.

    With the game tied, 1-1, in the bottom of the third, the Penguins tallied four straight  two-out hits to post three runs capped a Ledford single, which drove in two, and took a 4-1 lead.

     After the Red Flash cut the deficit to 4-2 with a run in the top of the fourth, Ledford drilled a a two-run double and the bottom half of the frame and the Penguins posted another three-run inning to take a 7-2 lead.

    Junior Cheryl  Cale tossed a complete game with two strikeouts to pick up the victory and retired eight of the last 10 batters she face.

    In the first game, the Penguins pounded out eight hits but left nine runners on base in the loss to Holy Cross.  

    The Penguins jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning after junior Autumn Grove's first home run of the season, a two-run blast to left-center field.

    Freshman Haley Thomas led off the game the game with a single up the middle and stole second base prior to Grove's blast.

    Holy Cross responded just as fast tying the game at 2-2 after Caitlin Belanger belted a two-run home run to left-center field in the bottom half of the first.

    The Penguins threatened to retake the lead in the top of the second but left the bases loaded.

    The Crusaders tacked one run in each of the bottom of the second and third frames to take a 4-2 advantage.

    In the top of the fifth, freshman Ashley Conger's single to right center scored Jordan Ingalls, who singled and advanced to second on Kim Klonowski's single to left field.

    After Conger's hit and a walk by Allyse Ledford loaded the bases, the Penguins left three runners stranded for the second time in the contest.

    The Crusaders took advantage of the Penguins inability to get the clutch hit and plated three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 7-3.

    The Penguins take on South Dakota and Maine on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.