Lady sluggers finish even at Virginia Invitational

After putting the brakes on an early season skid, the Penn State softball team stalled this weekend, going 2-2 at the Virginia Invitational.

The Lady Lions started the season 1-5, then sped to a 10-4 mark in their next 14 games to enter this past weekend at 11-9.

But Robin Petrini's squad split its four games, winning one of two on both Friday and Saturday.

Penn State opened the tournament with a 10-2 drubbing of Akron, led by Colleen Kersey, Jodie Ricciardi and Gina Bianchini, who tallied two runs apiece. Junior pitcher Jaci Kalp got the win, surrendering just one earned run.

The host Cavaliers then rendered a 4-2 decision on Petrini's squad to end Friday's action for the Lions.

Saturday morning, Penn State handled Rutgers 6-3 behind a 4-4 performance from left fielder Ricciardi. Sophomore pitcher Tanis Ambelang got the win, pushing her record to 6-5 this season.

The weekend ended Saturday afternoon when Marshall defeated the Lions, 6-3.

Penn State plays its first home games of the season at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Lady Lion Field in a doubleheader against Ohio.

-- by Ryan Hockensmith