March 13, 2009
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle softball team lost a heartbreaker in Florida on Friday as they dropped a 5-4 decision to Youngstown State in eight innings at the Rebel Spring Games. Earlier in the day, the Explorers lost 5-0 to Maine.
With the score knotted at four apiece after seven innings, the international tie-breaker rule went into effect for the extras. Youngstown State (2-14) capitalized on that in the top of the eighth, and held the Explorers (0-6) scoreless in the bottom of the same inning. The Penguins' Jordan Ingalls was placed on second to start the inning. She advanced to third on a sac bunt by Haley Thomas and scored on an Ali Shepherd throwing error. Explorer pitcher Laura Beth McCreesh forced a pop-up and struck out a batter to end the inning.
Brianna DiTommasso was placed on second to start the bottom of the eighth for the Explorers and advanced to third on a McCreesh sac bunt to the pitcher. With one out, DiTommasso attempted a suicide squeeze but got caught in a run-down for the second out. The Explorers loaded the bases on two outs on a Penguin error and intentional walk, but Gina Massaro's shot up the middle was stopped on a diving play to end the Explorers' chance to win.
The Penguins put a quick two runs on the board in the top of the first, but the Explorers responded with three in the bottom of the same inning. All three of the Explorers' runs came on two outs. Massaro reached on a single up the middle and advanced to third on a Mary Pat Conville hit down the right field line. Angelina Bisbiglia then belted a double to left center to score both Massaro and Conville and tie the game at two each. After an Alicia De La Rosa walk, DiTommasso singled to bring in Bisbiglia for the go-ahead score.
The Explorers extended the lead to 4-2 in the sixth inning. Massaro drove in Laura Gallagher with a double to left field. However, a two-RBI single by YSU's Ashley Conger knotted the game at four to send it overtime.
Earlier in the day, the Explorers dropped a 5-0 decision to the University of Maine. More information on that game to follow.
