UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Following a strong showing for the Nittany Lion track teams at the NCAA East Regional competition, Penn State will send 14 different athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June.

 

Twelve Nittany Lions qualified for individual events.  Additionally, the women's 4x400-meter relay team qualified for the outdoor national championships, which will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 8-11.

 

On the women's side, six different Nittany Lions qualified for individual events, including Evonne Britton, who will compete in both the 400-meter hurdles and the 100-meter hurdles.  Britton heads into the championships with the 11th best time in 100-meter hurdles (13.11) and the 13th best mark in the 400-meter hurdles (57.51).

 

Senior Karlee McQuillen ranks fourth in the javelin throw heading into the NCAA Championships (52.48 meters) after a superb showing at the east regionals.  Freshman Laura Loht is 13th in the javelin throw after a toss of 49.14 meters.

 

The men's team will also send six individuals to the NCAA Championships, including a pair of participants in both the shot put and 800-meters.  Sophomore Casimir Loxsom registered a time of 1:48.48 in the NCAA Regionals, which was 10th fastest.  Senior Samuel Borchers was 15th in the 800 (1:48.80).

 

Junior Joe Kovacs headlines the duo of Penn State qualifiers in shot put.  Kovacs tallied a toss of 18.78 meters, which ranked sixth among qualifying marks.  Senior Blake Eaton was seventh on the list with a toss of 18.77 meters.

 

Penn State has a legitimate chance of earning several All-American finishes at the NCAA Championships next week.  Take a look at the full list of competitors slated to represent the Nittany Lions at the 2011 NCAA Championships.

 

Penn State 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track Championships Participants

 

Name	Event
Casimir Loxsom	800 meters
Samuel Borchers	800 meters
Ryan Foster	1,500 meters

Joe Kovacs	Shot Put
Blake Eaton	Shot Put

Hanif Johnson	Triple Jump
Ije Iheoma	400 meters
Kara Millhouse	10,000 meters
Evonne Britton	100-meter Hurdles 400-meter Hurdles
Megan Duncan	400-meter Hurdles
Karlee McQuillen	Javelin
Laura Loht	Javelin
Doris Anyanwu Shavon Greaves Ije Iheoma Megan Duncan	4x400 meter Relay

 

 

 

Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony

On May 23rd, Penn State women's soccer rising sophomore Maya Hayes (West Orange, N.J.) and incoming freshman Kori Chapic (Novelty, Ohio) were named to the U.S. U-20 National Team. They'll take part in a training camp and matches vs. Japan from June 4-12. Read the full release from ussoccer.com below.

U.S. U-20 WNT to Face Japan Twice During Camp at Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista

The U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team will face its counterpart from Japan twice during a training camp running from June 4-12 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.

CHICAGO (May 23, 2001) - The U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team will face its counterpart from Japan twice during a training camp running from June 4-12 at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif. U.S. head coach April Heinrichs has called up 23 players and will name one more before the start of the event. The two matches against the perennial Asian power will take place on Wednesday, June 8 and Saturday, June 11 with both games kicking off at 4 p.m. PT. The two countries will feature players born in 1992 and 1993 with both teams in preparations for qualifying for the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup to be held in Uzbekistan.

Heinrichs named 14 players who are currently in college and nine who are finishing up their high school academic years. Five players have previous youth World Cup experience for the USA as midfielders Morgan Brian, Mandy Laddish and Samantha Mewis played for the USA in the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand and forwards Maya Hayes and Mollie Pathman represented the USA at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Germany. Mewis was also on that team.

U.S. U-20 WNT Roster by Position:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Emily Oliver (Stanford; Flossmoor, Ill.), Abby Smith (Dallas Texans; Dallas, Texas)
DEFENDERS (6): Kori Chapic (Cleveland Cobras; Russell, Ohio), Abby Dahlkemper (MVLA Avalanche; Menlo Park, Calif.), Arin Gilliland (Kentucky; Wilmore, Ky.), Kassey Kallman (Florida State; Woodbury, Minn.), Dominique Richardson (Missouri; Fullerton, Calif.), Catie Sessions (Wisconsin; Woodbury, Minn.)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Morgan Brian (Ponte Verde Storm; St. Simons Island, Ga.), Lindsey Bos (Washington; Snohomish, Wash.), Kaysie Clark (KC Select Scream; Liberty, Mo.), Vanessa DiBernardo (Illinois; Naperville, Ill.), Lindsay Elston (Washington; Sammamish, Wash.), Sarah Killion (Fort Wayne Fever; Fort Wayne, Ind.), Mandy Laddish (Notre Dame; Lee's Summit, Mo.), Samantha Mewis (Scorpions SC; Hanson, Mass.)
FORWARDS (7): Kelly Cobb (Cook Inlet Velocity; Chugiak, Alaska), Jamia Fields (Florida State; Alta Loma, Calif.), Maya Hayes (Penn State; West Orange, N.J.), Stephanie McCaffrey (FC Stars of Mass.; Winchester, Mass.), Kealia Ohai (North Carolina; Draper, Utah), Mollie Pathman (Duke; Durhham, N.C.), Katie Stengel (Wake Forest; Melbourne, Fla.)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After returning to the NCAA Tournament in March, the Nittany Lion basketball program will head into the summer months with an eye towards the future.

 

Penn State tallied seven wins in its last 10 Big Ten outings en route to punching its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001.  March was the type of month that springboards a program into the offseason with a great deal of confidence.

 

After downing Northwestern and Minnesota on the road to cap off the regular season, the Nittany Lions rattled off three victories in successive days at the Big Ten Tournament to earn a spot in the Big Ten title game for the first time in program history.

 

The Big Ten Tournament run featured victories over Indiana, No. 13 Wisconsin and Michigan State.  Playing its fourth game in as many days, the Lions battled eventual NCAA Tournament overall No. 1 seed Ohio State to a 71-60 setback on CBS.

 

Minutes after the title game, Penn State learned it would be playing intra-state foe Temple in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in Tucson, Ariz.  An off balance buzzer beater from Owl guard Juan Fernandez was all that stood between the Nittany Lions and an opportunity to earn a spot in the final 32 of the big dance.

Arguably the greatest player in Penn State basketball history, Talor Battle turned the backcourt keys over to Tim Frazier when the season came to a close in Tucson.  Frazier made significant strides in his second season at Penn State.

 

The Houston, Texas, native played the best basketball of his career in the final few weeks of the 2010-'11 season.  Alongside the program's all-time leading scorer in the backcourt, Frazier averaged 10.0 points per contest over the last 11 games of the season, including 14.0 points per game in the Big Ten semifinals, championship game and NCAA Tournament.

 

In the postseason press conference following the trip to Tucson, it was clear that Frazier wanted to become the face of Penn State basketball.  He entered the offseason looking to become the program's leader.  Leadership comes with the territory of being a point guard, but Frazier's confidence level reached new heights during the closing stretch of the season.

 

Penn State finished fourth in the Big Ten (9-9) before making its postseason run to the conference title game.  The 2011-'12 campaign will be a season of change for the Big Ten Conference when Nebraska officially joins the league over the summer.  One of the most tradition-rich basketball conferences in America, the Big Ten will again field some of the top teams in the nation when the season opens in the fall.

 

After eight seasons in Happy Valley, head coach Ed DeChellis, the 2009 Big Ten Coach of the Year, announced on Monday that he will move on to coach at the United States Naval Academy.

 

"I am extremely proud of the program that we have been able to build here at Penn State and the fine young men who have played for us and graduated from the University," Coach DeChellis said.  "I'm very appreciative of the administration at Penn State and its willingness to invest in and grow the program, and I am very thankful to the tremendous Penn State students, alumni and fans that have supported Penn State basketball."

 

Penn State will now kick off a national search for the next head coach of Nittany Lion men's hoops.

"We will quickly begin a national search for new leadership for the Nittany Lion Basketball program," Director of Athletics Tim Curley said. "It will be a comprehensive search focused on finding the best candidate to lead Penn State Basketball into the future."

 

On the heels of a memorable run to the NCAA Tournament in March, it is shaping up to be an exciting summer for the Nittany Lion basketball.

 

 

Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony

For over a week, rising seniors Jess Rosenbluth (Gladwyne, Pa.) and Ali Schaefer (Las Vegas, Nev.) along with rising junior Maddy Evans (Glenside, Pa.) gave step-by-step accounts of their time in Granada, Nicaragua. The trio worked with Soccer Without Borders as volunteers of the Spring Infusion camp, which helps provide soccer equipment and instruction to youngsters in Granada. SWB's mission is applied all over the world and Penn State women's soccer has been a great supporter of SWB's commitment to bringing soccer to all young girls in impoverished areas.

Photo Gallery | Full release can be found on GoPSUsports.com.

Written by Maddy Evans, Sunday, May 22

Hello again!

What an amazing week! As I sit on the plane waiting to take off out of Managua, I cannot believe this week, which I so highly anticipated, is already coming to a close. Reflecting on this trip, with the desire to tell EVERYONE about it, I'm realizing more and more that much of this experience simply defies description. What I am able to relay in a blog barely scratches the surface of not only the many feelings involved but also the innumerable valuable lessons I have learned. After spending nine days in Nicaragua (the second poorest country in the Western hemisphere, behind Haiti), I was given the opportunity to reevaluate my needs versus my wants and truly appreciate the little things. I quickly realized just how lucky I am. Soccer alone has provided me with unbelievable opportunities and this trip has enabled me to view many things that go along with being a Penn State women's soccer player with a whole new appreciation. From a supportive system, gear and facilities, to cold cups of water at practice - we are so unbelievably lucky.

With Granada possessing a few very touristy, Americanized areas, it was possible to endure this week very comfortably. At the very beginning of the week, however, the staff of Futbol Sin Fronteras challenged us to "live locally." Our administrator Mary explained how she knows that when she gets back to the states, one of the first things she'll do is spend $4.00 on a Starbucks Chai Tea Latte. For many people in Granada, this amount of money could be more than an entire weeks worth of work. She is well aware of the fact that she doesn't need this, but while in Granada she misses this most. We were asked to consider the things that we are able to possibly give up. What's your Chai?

Yet another thing that is so evident to me after this trip, is how much the beautiful Nicaraguan culture allowed Ali, Jess, and I to simply enjoy each others company. On the way to the airport this morning we were noting how we feel like we have learned more about each other in these past ten days than we have in our past couple years together. Instead of, for instance, going out to eat and texting half the time, or being distracted by smart phone games, videos, iPods, etc., we were able to completely focus our energies and attention on the people surrounding us.

Throughout this trip, it was difficult for me to grasp the idea that this lifestyle (which we, in the scheme of things, only got a very small taste of) is another's day-to-day reality. Comparing two very different cultures (American and Nicaraguan) there are obviously parts that make each very special. Despite high poverty levels in Granada, very few people seemed miserable - As Vegas realized this, she noted something that seems to ring very true in Granada - happiness is a choice that we are able to make, minute by minute. The attitude in which we choose to approach our given circumstances can make a word of difference. Throughout this trip we were fortunate to meet many people who simply enjoy life for what it is and for that we are thankful.

Furthermore, we have come to realize that a language barrier and astoundingly different backgrounds are but small factors when it comes to building strong relationships and leaving everlasting impressions. I look forward to further reflecting on this unique experience and continuing to grow from it. As I return home to the states and venture forward with school, soccer, and whatever life throws at me, I know that I will forever hold this trip with me.

On behalf of Ali, Jess, and myself, we are so very thankful for this ultimately life-changing experience. Adios!

--NITTANY LIONS--

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After winning two out of three games in Ann Arbor over the weekend, the Nittany Lion baseball team punched a ticket for the Big Ten Baseball Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.

 

The Nittany Lions will kick off their first appearance in the conference tournament since 2008 against third-seeded Purdue on Wednesday afternoon at 3:35 p.m.  Let's take a look at some of Penn State's Big Ten Tournament history and what to expect this week at Huntington Park.

Big Ten Tournament History:

- Penn State will be making its ninth appearance in the Big Ten Tournament.  The Lions also participated in the postseason in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008.

 

- The Lions are 13-16 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament.

 

- Penn State has posted a 5-3 mark in Big Ten Tournament openers.

 

- The Nittany Lions have appeared in the championship game on three different occasions, including 2000, 2003 and 2007.

 

- By virtue of earning the No. 1 seed in 1996, Penn State hosted the Big Ten Tournament.

 

- Penn State is 0-1 all-time against its first round opponent, Purdue, in Big Ten Tournament competition.

Looking Ahead:

The Big Ten Tournament is a double elimination competition.  The tournament champion earns the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.  Penn State kicks things off against Purdue.  The Lions went 1-2 against the Boilers during the regular season in a three-game series at Medlar Field.

 

Should the Lions win on Wednesday, they will move on to face top-seeded Illinois on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.  Should Purdue advance, the Boilers would move on to face second-seeded Michigan State, while the Lions would play the loser of the No. 4 Ohio State-No. 5 Minnesota matchup on Thursday at 12:05 p.m.

 

The Lions won two out of three games against Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio State.  Michigan State swept Penn State earlier this season.  With the Nittany Lions' success against three out of the four potential second day opponents, there is an opportunity for Penn State to put together a run in Columbus.

 

 

2011 Big Ten Baseball Tournament Schedule:

Wednesday, May 25
Game 1: 12:05 p.m.: No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Minnesota
Game 2: 3:35 p.m.: No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 6 Penn State

Thursday, May 26
Game 3: 12:05 p.m.: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 4: 3:35 p.m.: Highest Seed of Games 1 & 2 Winners vs. No. 2 Michigan State
Game 5: 7:05 p.m.: Lowest Seed of Games 1 & 2 Winners vs. No. 1 Illinois

Friday, May 27
Game 6: 12:05 p.m.: Winner Game 3 vs. Lowest Seed of Games 4 & 5 Losers#
Game 7: 3:35 p.m.: Winner Game 6 vs. Highest Seed of Games 4 & 5 Losers#
Game 8: 7:05 p.m.: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4

Saturday, May 28
Game 9: 3:35 p.m.: Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8
Game 10: 7:05 p.m.: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9 (Championship Game)

Sunday, May 29 (If Necessary)*
Game 11: 12:05 p.m.: Winner Game 10 vs. Loser Game 10 (Second Championship Game)

 

# - Exception: if one of the Games 4 or 5 losers has already had a bye, that team will play in Game 6, regardless of seed.

* - If winner of Game 10 is also the winner of Game 9, Winner and Loser of Game 10 will play in an 11th game on Sunday

 

 

Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Nittany Lion softball team took a significant step forward for the future over the weekend in its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007.

 

Going 2-2 in NCAA Regional action at Nittany Lion Softball Park, Penn State went toe-to-toe with 12th-ranked Oregon in Regional final action on Sunday afternoon before the Ducks plated three unearned runs to earn a spot in the Super Regionals.

 

Penn State's weekend was an outstanding learning experience for a squad filled with young talent.  In Sunday's final game against Oregon, the Nittany Lions started five sophomores and two freshmen.  Playing in the postseason provides experience that Penn State hopes will carry over into the 2012 campaign.

 

"I hope the seniors are proud of where they brought us this year," Coach Petrini said.  "For the rest of the team, they have a taste of it. I hope that taste is not satisfied so they come back hungrier this next year."

 

The Lions will have some big shoes to fill on the mound next season.  With fifth year senior Jackie Hill graduating, Penn State will be replacing one of the program's all-time best pitchers.  Hill was a special breed of player.

 

"When she came back off of her rib injury two years ago against Iowa and pitched 14 innings one day and hadn't pitched in month I knew that this was something special," Coach Petrini said.  "This was one of the toughest kids I've ever coached that competes every time she's out on the field. She is probably the toughest competitor I've ever coached in my 20-something odd years of coaching."

 

Simply put, the San Jose, Calif., native was incredible in her final four games as a Nittany Lion.  Hill pitched 28.1 innings over the course of three days at the NCAA Regionals, including 18.2 alone in two games on Saturday.  The blisters on her feet when she walked into the postgame press conference after willing the Lions to a 16-inning victory over Fordham on Saturday night were a fitting representation of Hill's dedication to the program.

 

And despite pitching the equivalent of more than two and a half games on Saturday, Hill trotted out to the circle in a relief effort on Sunday afternoon.  She allowed just one earned run over 28.1 innings during the NCAA Regionals.  Filling those shoes will not be easy for Penn State.

 

"We came out this weekend and we all were just happy to be out there and playing," Hill said. "It was a renewed feeling of this is why we like to play. It was a good weekend and I think that the girls that are still here are going to want to get to that point again because I think we all had a good weekend."

 

With a young group of Lions set to return in 2012, Penn State has a lot to build on after hosting NCAA competition for the first time in 28 seasons.

 

 

Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Welcome to GoPSUsports.com's coverage of the NCAA Softball Regional from Nittany Lion Softball Park.

 

Take a look back at Penn State's 3-1 setback to Oregon in the NCAA Regional final.  The Ducks scored three unearned runs to earn a spot in the NCAA Super Regionals.

End of the 1st: Penn State 0, Oregon 0

Oregon made good contact in two of its three at-bats in the first, but Akamine retired the Ducks in order for a perfect start to the game.  Like Akamine, Oregon ace Jessica Moore retired Penn State's batters in order during the bottom of the first.  Penn State was patient at the plate, but Moore did a nice job finishing at-bats.

End of the 2nd: Penn State 0, Oregon 0

Akamine retired the first two batters in the second inning.  The Ducks tallied their first hit of the afternoon when Alexa Peterson poked a ball through the right side of the infield.  Nonetheless, Peterson was thrown out at second while attempting to steal on a play that looked to be a hit-and-run attempt.  In the home half of the second, Moore struck out the first two batters she faced.  However, Danee Collett, who was making her first start of the weekend, tallied a two-out infield single.  Moore then struck out Lauren Yao to end the inning.

End of the 3rd: Penn State 1, Oregon 0

Despite a walk and a two-out hit from Oregon, Akamine worked out of the inning.  The Ducks stranded two to keep the score at 0-0.  Like she did on Saturday night, Akamine stepped up with a big play at the plate.  After Mary Ostman reached on a fielder's choice, Bell earned a one-out walk.  Akamine stepped to the plate and delivered with an RBI single through the right side of the infield to put the Nittany Lions up 1-0.  Penn State left runners on second and third, but Akamine's clutch single put a tally on the board.

End of the 4th: Penn State 1, Oregon 0

Oregon's portion of the fourth transpired just as the third inning did.  The Ducks earned a walk and a two-out single, but bother runners were stranded, largely thanks to a strong finish from Akamine.  In the bottom of the inning, Moore retired the Nittany Lions in order, which sent the game into the fifth with the Lions leading 1-0.

End of the 5th: Penn State 1, Oregon 0

Akamine retired the Ducks in order during the top of the fifth.  Akamine has pitched a superb game, allowing just three hits over the first five innings.  Moore followed suit with a perfect inning on the mound for the Ducks.  The Oregon ace tossed just eight pitches to retire the Nittany Lions.

End of the 6th: Oregon 3, Penn State 1

Trailing by one, Oregon mounted a rally in the top of the sixth.  With one out, Kaylan Howard reached on an error.  One batter later, Monique Fuiava ripped a double off the wall in left field, sending Howard to third.  Kaitlin Vitek then stepped to the plate against Hill, who emerged from the bullpen with two on and one out after pitching 18.2 innings on Saturday.  Vitek drilled a ball right at Rossi in left field, but the ball dropped out of Rossi's glove, which allowed Howard to score.  With the game tied at 1-1, Oregon catcher Alexa Peterson registered a two-RBI double to right center, handing the Ducks a 3-1 lead.  Two costly errors led to a trio of unearned runs for Oregon.  Nevertheless, Penn State positioned itself very nicely for a rally of its own.  Johnson and Hatfield tallied back-to-back singles before the Ducks went to the bullpen.  Brittany Rumfelt threw a wild pitch and yielded a walk, which loaded the bases for Penn State with one out.  Oregon elected to put Moore back in the game on the mound.  She forced back-to-back ground balls, which resulted in two outs to get the Ducks out of a huge jam.  Penn State had a golden opportunity to get back into the game, but was unable to capitalize.

End of the 7th: Oregon 3, Penn State 1

Hill made quick work of Oregon in the top of the seventh inning.  She retired the side in order to keep the score at 3-1.  Penn State walked to the plate in the bottom of the seventh knowing that it needed two runs to tie the ballgame.  Moore capped off the weekend by retiring the Penn State batters in order to clinch a spot in the NCAA Super Regionals.  Penn State finished the regional 2-2 after a very strong showing, but the Ducks took advantage of two big errors in the sixth and made big plays when they needed to.

 

Postgame Reaction:

It is a tough way to lose in when your opponent scores three unearned runs.  The Nittany Lion defense was terrific throughout the weekend, but the two errors in the sixth inning proved to be costly on Sunday afternoon.

 

"Unfortunately, when you get to this point, you can't make any mistakes," Coach Petrini said.  "The one inning where they put some hits together, we allowed them to be in a position to take the lead from us by making a couple miscues defensively.  But I'm proud of our kids.  I'm proud of how hard they played all weekend long and all season."

 

So often in postseason softball, teams are able to turn errors into runs.  Oregon made good contact on both errors, but the Lions were in great position to make both plays.

 

"When you make a mistake, they end up coming around the bases," Coach Petrini said.  "That is why your defense is so important when you get into the season at this point."

 

Despite Sunday's setback to Oregon, the Nittany Lions finished the season with seven victories in their last nine outings.  Penn State had a superb showing in the NCAA Regional, and the young Nittany Lions have a lot to build on for next season.

 

"I hope the seniors are proud of where they brought us this year," Coach Petrini said.  "For the rest of the team, they have a taste of it.  I hope that taste is not satisfied so that they come back hungrier this next year."

Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Welcome to GoPSUsports.com's coverage of the NCAA Softball Regional from Nittany Lion Softball Park.

 

Take a look back at Penn State's epic 16-inning victory over Fordham on Saturday night at Beard Field.  The Lions will meet Oregon on Sunday at noon.  The Lions need two wins against the Ducks for a regional title.

End of the 1st: Fordham 2, Penn State 0

Fordham elected to send Chelsea Plimpton to the mound for its third game of the regional.  Plimpton entered the game with a 2.17 ERA and a 17-10 record.  She retired Penn State in order during the first.  Like Fordham, Penn State opted to use Lisa Akamine on the mound instead of Hill.  Fordham opened the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles.  A fielder's choice advanced both runners before Beckah Wiggins tallied a two-RBI triple off the right field wall.  Wiggins tallied the game-winning home run on Friday.

End of the 2nd: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

The Nittany Lions wasted little time tying the score in the top of the second.  Kasie Hatfield singled through the left side of the infield to lead off the inning.  Right fielder Alyssa Sovereign stepped to the plate and cracked her second homer of the day, which knotted things up at 2-2.  Akamine settled into a nice groove in the bottom half of the inning.  The Rams went down in order, leaving the score tied heading into the third inning.

End of the 3rd: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Following a one-out double from Cassidy Bell, Fordham called upon All-American Jen Mineau to take the circle.  Mineau fanned the two batters she faced in the third, leaving Bell stranded on second base.  Akamine retired the Fordham Rams in order during the bottom of the third.  After the first, Akamine looked much more comfortable on the mound.

End of the 4th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Mineau worked out of a big jam in the top of the fourth to keep the Nittany Lions off of the scoreboard.  Kasie Hatfield drilled a triple to centerfield to lead off the inning, but Mineau registered two straight strikeouts en route to stranding Hatfield at third.  The Penn State defense made a superb play in the bottom of the fourth to limit a scoring opportunity for the Rams.  Jamie LaBovick tallied a one out double down the right field line.  LaBovick tried to stretch the play into a triple, but a crisp relay from Sovereign to Lauren Yao and then to Lauren Rossi resulted in the second out.  Akamine slammed the door with a strikeout.

End of the 5th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Mineau needed just seven pitches to retire the Nittany Lions in the top of the fifth.  Fordham garnered a walk and a single from Lindsey Kay Bright up the middle with one out.  With two on, head coach Robin Petrini opted to send Jackie Hill back to the circle in relief of Akamine.  Hill forced two groundball outs to end a scoreless inning for Fordham.  The scene looks eerily familiar to Friday's game with two strong pitchers on the mound.  One swing could likely be the difference in the final two innings.

End of the 6th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

For the second straight inning, Mineau was perfect on the mound, retiring the only three Penn State batters she faced.  The All-American struck out five batters in her first 3.2 innings of work.  Fordham left one on base after Hill caught Beckah Wiggins on the hand.  Nonetheless, the Rams left Wiggins stranded on first.  For the second straight day Fordham and Penn State headed into the seventh with the game tied.

End of the 7th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Mineau was again dominant in the top of the seventh, striking out all three Penn State batters she faced.  She fanned eight batters in 4.2 innings of work.  Hill followed suit in the bottom of the seventh.  She allowed one walk, but slammed the door with a strikeout and a lazy fly ball to left field.  It is only fitting that these two teams battled to extra innings.  This marked the fifth extra inning game out of 18 contests at Beard Field.

End of the 8th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Penn State had an opportunity to add to its run total on the scoreboard in the top of the eighth, but Mineau was too strong.  Rossi and Bell each reached base on an error, giving the Lions two base runners with one out.  Nonetheless, Mineau retired the next two batters, which included a deep fly ball to dead center from Johnson.  Fordham tallied two singles in the bottom of the eighth, but Hill held strong in the circle to again keep the Rams off the board during the eighth.

End of the 9th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

At the risk of again sounding redundant, Mineau marched through a perfect inning in the circle to keep the Nittany Lions off the board in the ninth.  Like Mineau, Hill did quick work in the bottom of the ninth.  She retired the side in order, which sealed the seventh consecutive scoreless inning.

End of the 10th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

The beat marched on for Mineau in the 10th frame.  The junior faced just three Nittany Lions en route to her seventh straight scoreless inning of work in the game.  Hill followed suit in the bottom of the inning with two strikeouts and a ground out.  After eight straight scoreless innings, the two teams headed for the 11th inning, marking the longest game in Beard Field history.

End of the 11th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Penn State looked like it was going to mount a two-out rally in the 11th after Johnson singled through the right side of the infield and Hatfield dropped a single in just over the outstretched arm of the Fordham shortstop.  Nonetheless, Mineau finished the inning off with a strike out, her 11th of the contest.  Hill came right back in the bottom of the 11th and retired Fordham on just eight pitches to cap off the ninth straight scoreless inning.

End of the 12th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Mineau ended the top of the 12th inning with two more strike outs and a foul out.  Hill allowed one single in the bottom of the inning, but the senior ace held strong, once again.  With 12 innings complete, give a tip of the cap to the several hundred fans who are still in attendance.  Both pitchers have put on quite a show tonight.

End of the 13th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

For the 11th straight inning, Fordham held the Nittany Lions scoreless.  Mineau tossed seven pitches en route to retiring the side.  For the second straight day, Wiggins nearly dealt Penn State a fatal blow with a home run ball, but her shot over the left field wall was foul by fewer than five feet.  One pitch later, Wiggins flew out to right field, which capped the 11th consecutive scoreless inning of play.

End of the 14th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Like clockwork, Mineau and Hill each retired the side in order during the 14th inning.  It is hard to believe that both pitchers have any gas left in the tank after pitching more than two complete games today at Beard Field.  Nonetheless, the teams ended the 14th tied at 2-2.

End of the 15th: Penn State 2, Fordham 2

Hill came within about two feet of a go-ahead home run to center field in the top of the 15th, but the ball was caught at the base of the wall.  Two batters later, Mineau fanned the side to end the half inning.  Fordham went down in order in the bottom half of the inning, which made it 13 straight scoreless innings.

End of the 16th: Penn State 5, Fordham 2

After13 scoreless innings, Penn State busted things open in the top of the 16th.  Ostman kick-started the rally with a lead-off single.  She advanced to second on a passed ball.  Bell earned a five-pitch walk to put two on with no outs.  Akamine then stepped to the plate.  She was 0-for-6 heading into the at-bat, but Akamine came through with the biggest hit of her career.  She doubled off the centerfield wall, which plated two runs.  One batter later, Johnson ripped an RBI single to make it 5-2 Nittany Lions.  It was only fitting that Hill earned the right to finish things off in the bottom of the 16th.  After tossing a complete game against Albany, Hill tossed 11.2 innings of scoreless softball while allowing just three hits.  Give a tip of cap to Mineau who was also incredible.  The All-American tossed 13.2 innings of work while striking out 15.

Postgame Reaction:

What can you say about an epic night at Beard Field for Penn State softball.  The Nittany Lions battled for 16 innings, and they earned a 5-2 victory in the NCAA Regionals.  Penn State hit the ball much better than the Rams, but Fordham found a way to make play after play in the field for 15 innings.  But Lisa Akamine found some open real estate to bust open a 2-2 game, leading the Lions to victory.

 

Akamine will go down as the player with the game-winning hit, but this night was about Jackie Hill.  The senior hurler tossed 18.2 innings of work on Saturday, including a complete game against Albany and 11.2 innings of relief work against Fordham.

 

Coach Petrini said after the game that Hill was the toughest player that she has ever coached.  She has weathered several injuries throughout her career, but she has a relentless work ethic.  After pitching 18.2 innings, Hill joked after the game that she wanted to keep going and play Oregon right after the win over Fordham.  That is the type of competitor Hill has been for the past four seasons in Happy Valley.

 

With the short turnaround after the second longest game in program history, Coach Petrini said the Lions will be ready to go at noon on Sunday against No. 13 Oregon.  Penn State needs two wins over the Ducks on Sunday to win the regional title.  Oregon defeated Fordham 2-0 on Saturday.

 

It was a night to remember at Beard Field.  The Nittany Lions found a way to win with their backs to the wall in the NCAA Tournament.  Hill was simply amazing.  Akamine tallied the big hit.  Will the Nittany Lions have anything left in the tank for Oregon?  Who will be in the circle to pitch?

 

Those questions will be answered on regional championship Sunday at Beard Field.

Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Welcome to GoPSUsports.com's coverage of the NCAA Softball Regional from Nittany Lion Softball Park.

 

Take a look back at Penn State's 6-1 victory over Albany. The Lions will now face Fordham in their second elimination game of the day.

 

Oregon Moves to 2-0 With Win Over Fordham

With one swing of the bat, Oregon moved to 2-0 in the regional with a 2-0 victory over Jen Mineau and the Fordham Rams.  A two-run homer from Kailee Cuico in the fifth inning was all the Ducks would need.  Jessica Moore was superb on the mound for the Ducks, allowing just one hit in seven scoreless innings of work.  Oregon will look for the regional crown on Sunday at noon.

End of the 1st: Penn State 0, Albany 0

The Nittany Lions opened the game aggressively at the plate.  After Cassidy Bell flew out to left, Lisa Akamine stroked a one-out single up the middle.  Kailyn Johnson then flew out to left before Kasie Hatfield drilled a ball, which was caught by the right fielder just shy of the warning track.  In the bottom of the first, Jackie Hill retired the side in order, picking up right where she left off on Friday evening.

End of the 2nd: Penn State 0, Albany 0

Albany pitcher Brittany MacFawn retired the Nittany Lions in order during the second.  Alyssa Sovereign opened the top of the inning with a ground out to first, while Lauren Yao struck out and Lauren Rossi grounded out to third.  Hill remained perfect in the second with three straight outs to send the game into the third knotted at 0-0.

End of the 3rd: Penn State 0, Albany 0

Keeping with the theme of the University Park Regional, a classic pitchers duel has evolved in the first three innings at Nittany Lion Softball park.  The Nittany Lions were retired in order in the top of the inning.  Having now gone through the lineup once, Penn State needs to find a way to get its bats going.  In the bottom of the inning, Hill yielded a one-out single to Kylie Apostolina down the right field line.  Nonetheless, the senior retired the next two batters to keep the game scoreless.

End of the 4th: Penn State 2, Albany 0

The first two Penn State batters of the fourth were retired, but a Kasie Hatfield walk with two outs set the stage for Alyssa Sovereign to blast a two-run homer over the right field wall.  Sovereign's two-run shot was her fourth of the season.  With a 2-0 lead, Hill cruised her way through another perfect inning on the mound.  A quick stat for you - Penn State's home run marked the Lions' first tallies in NCAA Tournament action since its 2006 appearance.

End of the 5th: Penn State 2, Albany 0

Hill earned a one-out walk in the top of the fifth, but the Penn State half of the inning came to an abrupt halt when Mary Ostman lined out to third, which triggered a double play.  Hill remained red-hot in the bottom of the fifth inning.  The California native tallied two strikeouts after a lead-off single to keep the Great Danes off the scoreboard.

End of the 6th: Penn State 2, Albany 1

Johnson ripped a two-out double to right-center, but the Nittany Lions were unable to capitalize on the runner in scoring position.  Albany answered in the bottom half of the sixth with a homer of its own.  After Melissa Herndon was retired, leadoff batter Andrianna Walraven roped a home rune to left field, slicing Penn State's lead down to 2-1 after six innings.

End of the 7th: Penn State 6, Albany 1

Penn State's bats came alive in the top of the seventh to give Hill some insurance on the mound.  Sovereign led off the inning with a walk.  Pinch hitter Danee Collett then reached base on an error while attempting a sacrifice bunt.  Rossi followed with an RBI single, which put the Lions up 3-1 on the scoreboard.  Two batters later, pinch hitter Morgan Long stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI single to make it 4-1 Nittany Lions.  The floodgates opened when Bell ripped a two-RBI double off the right-center wall to hand the Lions a five-run cushion heading into the bottom of the seventh.  Hill slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh to seal the 6-1 victory.

 

Postgame Thoughts

Hill pitched another superb ballgame on Saturday afternoon.  The Lion senior allowed just four hits and one earned run while striking out six.  Penn State's four-run seventh inning sealed the victory, but the importance of the offensive outburst for the Lions' confidence cannot be stated enough.  The Lions needed to see the bats come alive heading into another elimination game against Fordham and All-American pitcher Jen Mineau.  Stay tuned for blog coverage from game two at 7:30.