East Carolina University
Penn State
Pirates Fall To Penn State 4-2
February 11, 2007 | Softball
Feb. 11, 2007
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The game was tied 2-2 in the 5th inning with one out and a runner on base when Penn State's Ashley Esparza hit a home run that hugged the left field line off reliever Keli Harrell. The home run proved to be the game winner as the Pirates were held in check for the final six outs.
East Carolina (3-1) scored a run in the first inning on an Erin St. Ledger double that scored Kaui Tom. The Pirates would gain an insurance run in the top of the third inning on a wild pitch.
Penn State mounted a comeback in the third inning off freshman Toni Paisley. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Paisley then allowed the next four batters to reach base. Harrell came on in relief to retire the side, and left two Nittany Lions on the base path.
"We played hard today but unfortunately we couldn't put together back-to-back hits," said head coach Tracey Kee. "We ended up chasing balls out of the strike zone and we left eight runners on base."
The Pirates concluded the Carolina Classic with wins against Ohio (3-2), Gardner Webb (8-0) and the College of Charleston (9-0, 5 inn.) before faltering to Penn State.
"I'm proud of what they accomplished, hitting six homeruns and a team batting average of .315," stated Kee.
East Carolina will now travel to Boca Raton, Fla. to play four games in the FAU Invitational. The first contest will be against Michigan on Friday at 9 a.m. and will conclude with FAU on Sunday at 6 p.m. They will also face Maryland and Long Island on their trip to the Sunshine State.
