Penguins split twinbill with Robert Morris
Rinaldi delivers game-winning hit in Game 1 to secure 6-5 YSU victory
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YOUNGSTOWN -- Two games with two wildly different results for Youngstown State.
Taking on Robert Morris, the Penguins softball team chipped away at a Colonials lead prior to securing a 6-5 victory in extras on Tuesday at the Covelli Sports Complex.
In some regards, that energy was simmered a bit with defensive miscues during the second game as RMU earned an 11-3 victory.
The Penguins committed nine errors on the day, including six in the second game.
"It made it pretty hard, (RMU) hit the ball well in the second game. It's one thing that we worked on, we've done a really good job, we're a 96 percent, 98 percent fielding team in the Horizon League, just sometimes you just have those days and today was one of those days," said YSU coach Brian Campbell. "They found a way to win and walk away with the split. Robert Morris was voted the second-place team in the conference this year, and I think walking away with the split is something."
"It gives us the chance (today) to be able to go for the series."
YSU (18-17, 6-3) was down 5-2 heading into the bottom half of the fifth inning in the first game but started chipping away with an RBI double by Jillian Jakse. Down two, with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Elyssa Imler sent a rocket into right-center field on a 1-1 count to tie the contest at five runs a piece.
Extra innings ensued and Sophie Howell (Champion) remained in the game and threw all eight innings while allowing eight hits, but gave up zero earned runs due to a trio of errors. With two runners on, Conchetta Rinaldi (Cardinal Mooney) sent a bloop shot into right field to score Sara Fessler and walk off the first game, 6-5.
"I was just looking to see my pitch, she was throwing a lot up and high, so Coach Campbell was telling me to be patient and see my pitch," Rinaldi said. "My plan was just to get the ball into the green so Fessler can tag up and score with no outs."
YSU did leave the bases loaded during the fifth and sixth innings. But, knowing that clutch hitting was needed, Rinaldi was confident at the plate during her game-winning at bat.
"It's pressure because softball is such a game of pressure, it's a 90 percent mental game, but I knew that if I wasn't going to get the job done, I have Jillian, Roach, Avery, a bunch of heavy hitters behind me, so I wasn't too worried," said Rinaldi.
For what it's worth, the nightcap couldn't have started better for the Penguins. With the bases loaded and no outs, Fessler caught an Alaina Koutsogiani liner, tagged first, then threw to Imler at second to complete a triple play.
Fessler then kick-started the bottom half of the first inning with a solo shot to left-center field. But the Penguins went on to put themselves in an in-opportune position on the defensive side.
"We were definitely on cloud nine in the first inning, I was like "Oh my gosh, this is crazy.' It was a good feeling, but I knew that we couldn't just have that one inning, it had to be so many more innings," said Fessler. "When they're hitting the ball like that, they're hitting the gaps, we're making errors, I think all the routine plays should have been made and that's all we need for tomorrow."
Devan Ryan only lasted 1+ inning, being replaced by Bree Kohler (South Range) with two runners on and no outs during the top of the second. The two pitchers allowed seven earned runs, but Robert Morris (16-16, 6-3) tallied 11 total runs to mercy rule the Penguins after six innings.
Hailey Niederkor and Rinaldi recorded RBIs during the second game, Fessler added a single to go along with her home run.
The Penguins and Colonials sit atop the Horizon League, locked in a four-way tie with Cleveland State and Purdue Fort Wayne.
RMU and YSU wrap up their series this afternoon at 3 p.m.
The key to taking the series? Cleaning up the details.
"We're at the point in the season, we need to be mentally tough," said Rinaldi. "From here on out, it's a grind. Just getting back and doing our thing. These are nice games to have in, anytime you get to play in conference on your home field."
"We can't take any team lightly in the conference, there are some crazy things happening in the conference, it's tough, there are so many amazing players."