Lady sluggers take two from Badgers

Lady Lion softball coach Robin Petrini couldn't help but be satisfied her team's performance this weekend.

Penn State's two wins against Wisconsin this weekend have already equaled Penn State's conference total from last year.

The Lady Lion softball team took two out of three games against the Badgers, with both wins coming in a doubleheader sweep on Saturday. They lost 4-0, however, yesterday.

"Two out of three for us, opening Big Ten weekend, I'll take that," Petrini said.

In the first game, sophomore pitcher Jaci Kalp shut down the Wisconsin offense, allowing just a pair of singles while going the full seven innings. She walked one and struck out four.

With her defense playing errorless ball behind her, Kalp knew she had some margin for error.

"I was real confident in the game because the defense was great," Kalp said. "I knew I had great defense behind me and they were going to make plays. It made me feel more comfortable while I was pitching."

Freshman Tanis Ambelang was a major player in both victories for the Lions. In game one, Ambelang provided all the offense Kalp would need. With two out in the bottom of the fourth inning, Ambelang launched an 0-1 pitch over the head of Wisconsin left fielder Jennifer Girard for a double, knocking in pinch runner Randi Larson with the game's only run.

But Ambelang's day wasn't through. She allowed two runs on just three hits and two walks in a complete game victory in game two.

The Lions' hitters were able to do something behind Ambelang they've struggled to do all season -- get key hits. With the Lions down 1-0 in the top of the third inning, second baseman Laura Snee singled home Jen McIntyre and leadoff hitter Jodie Ricciardi to give the Lions a 2-1 advantage.

In the bottom of the third, the Badgers clawed back. With one out, rightfielder Becca Gilgen tied the score with an RBI double to left center.

But the Lions took the lead for good in their half of the fourth -- and Ambelang was at the start of it. The hurler helped her own cause by leading off with a single. She advanced to third on an error and scored on Ricciardi's second infield hit of the game.

"We did a really good job of taking advantage of the opportunities in front of us," Ambelang said. "We capitalized on errors and got the hits we needed to when the runners were on base."

But it all changed yesterday. In the third game of the weekend series, Wisconsin pitcher Ashley Fauser retired the first 18 Lions who came to the plate, en route to a two-hit shutout. The junior pitcher struck out six and didn't allow her first hit until Ricciardi led off the seventh inning with an infield single.

Wisconsin coach Karen Gallagher said Fauser's performance came when her team, and her pitcher, needed it most.

"She needed it, and so did our team," Gallagher said. "I think she's been struggling a little bit this year. I knew we needed this win. It was a big win for us. We've been struggling a bit."

Badger shortstop Julie Borchard and designated player Holly Riester launched homeruns off Kalp, who fell to 4-4 on the season with the defeat. Petrini said the lack of run support for Kalp made a difference in how she pitched.

"I thought Jaci pitched well again," Petrini said. "She is susceptible to the long ball because she throws the ball so hard. Without any run support late in the game, it's tough to continue to pitch like that."

The Lions, who have won five of their last seven games, continue their home stand tomorrow with a doubleheader against George Mason.