Courtesy: Albany Athletic Communications
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Jackie Hill
turned in a complete-game performance with six strikeouts to lead Penn State to
a 6-1 win over UAlbany in the first elimination game of the NCAA Softball Regional
Tournament at Beard Field on Saturday afternoon.
Penn State struck first, ending the scoreless tie in the
fourth, as Alyssa Sovereign drove a two-run homer over the right field fence.
UAlbany got one run back in the bottom of the sixth on a solo homerun by
Andrianna Walraven. With that hit, Walraven, a senior shortstop, finished her
career with 146 hits and 100 runs scored.
"It
was a great experience to end my senior year," said Walraven, who missed just
two starts in her four-year career. "Even though we lost, I am very happy with
how we came out to play. It was awesome."
Penn State, who will now play
Fordham in the second elimination game of the day for the chance to play Oregon in Sunday's
regional final, broke the game open with four runs scored in the seventh.
Lauren Rossi recorded an RBI single, and was later driven in on a base hit by
pinch hitter Morgan Long. Centerfielder Cassidy Bell wrapped up the scoring for
the Nittany Lions, sending a double into right center that scored Mary Ostman
and Jackie Hill.
Brittany
MacFawn took the loss in the circle for the Great Danes, finishing a stellar freshman
season with a 15-8 record. MacFawn struck out three while scattering five hits
over six and one third innings of play. Hill earned the win for Penn State,
improving to 19-13 on the season. Hill fanned six UAlbany batters, allowing
just four hits.
"It
was different with this group," said UAlbany head coach Chris Cannata, who
wraps up her 17th season at the helm of the Great Dane program. It was a good
group of kids. This group played a lot when they were freshman. We thought we
were going to be here a couple times. I'm so happy that we got here for their
senior year."