Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU softball team wrapped up a three-game series with Youngstown State Wednesday at the Covelli Sports Complex in Youngstown, Ohio, falling to the Penguins, 3-2. The Colonials slipped to 16-17 (.485) overall during the 2023 season, including 6-4 (.600) in the Horizon League.
FAST TIMES AT RMU
For the second time in the series as well as the fifth time in the last six games the Colonials grabbed the first lead, plating a pair in the top of the first with two outs. Junior
Charlotte Grover ignited the rally by drawing a walk, and sophomore
Alaina Koutsogiani followed with a double to left center to bring home Grover with the first run of the contest. RMU took advantage of a Youngstown State error to score its second run of the frame, as Sara Fessler couldn't handle a bouncer from redshirt sophomore
Meadow Sacadura, allowing Koutsogiani to race home and score.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Fifth-year
Dana Vatakis kept Youngstown State off balance in the early going, setting the Penguins down in order in the first two innings. YSU broke through with three consecutive singles to open the third, but Vatakis buckled down, inducing a fielder's choice on consecutive hitters and getting the lead runner out at home before Conchetta Rinaldi grounded out to Vatakis to end the threat.
PENGUINS RALLY
Youngstown State got on the board in the fourth, scoring all three of its runs to grab the lead. Jillian Jakse opened the inning with a walk, and Hailey Roach followed with a single. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners up 60 feet, and Avrey Schumacher took advantage, jumping on the first offering from Vatakis and lining a single to center to score both runners to tie the game, 2-2. Vatakis concluded her outing after walking Elyssa Imler on four pitches, but Taylor Truman provided the game-winning RBI with a single to right that scored Schumacher with the eventual game-winning run.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Each of RMU's last three losses in Horizon League play have been by one run, while the other loss was a 2-0 setback. Despite dropping the decision to YSU (19-17 / 7-3 #HLSB) Tuesday, just two-and-a-half games separate the top seven teams in the #HLSB standings. The Penguins were able to grab possession of first place in the standings behind Sophie Howell, who tossed a complete game in picking up her second win from the circle in the series and improving to 9-6 overall during the 2023 season. She allowed just three hits while walking a pair.
UP NEXT
RMU returns home to the North Athletic Complex for a three-game series with Purdue Fort Wayne beginning Friday, April 14, with a 3:00 p.m. first pitch. The two teams will conclude the series Saturday, April 15, with a doubleheader at 1:00 p.m.
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