TALLAHASSEE, Fla.; March 7, 2004- Penn State finished softball action at the Seminole Challenge with a 3-2 win over Rhode Island Sunday to finish third with a 3-2 record for the weekend. The Nittany Lions are now 4-11, while the Rams fall to 0-10.

The Lions were aggressive early, as lead-off hitter Jen Williams (Stillwater, Okla.) reached on a single in her first at-bat. Fellow freshman Meghan Wolfer (Northampton, Pa.) grounded to the pitcher to move Williams over. Williams stole third to set up the RBI on Leigh Murray¡¯s (Fairfax Station, Va.) single for the 1-0 PSU advantage at the end of the first inning.

Junior Scarlett Neal (Huntingdon Beach, Calif.) smacked a triple to right field, then scored on a passed ball to start the second inning for Penn State. Sophomore third baseman Destinie Chavez (San Leandro, Calif.) advanced to first on an error and reached second on a single from Steph Viola (Minersville, Pa.) to keep the Lions¡¯ offense alive. Chavez advanced to third on a fly-out from Williams to right field and eventually scored the Lions¡¯ third and final run of the day when she stole home after the catcher had thrown to second to try and pick-off Viola, who was stealing The Lions finished the second inning up 3-0.

Rhode Island attempted to launch a comeback in the fourth inning when a single and a walk put two Rams on base. An error scored one Ram and a single sent another across the plate before the Lions sent senior Marisa Hanson (Victoria, Texas) to the mound to relieve starter Shana Riggleman (Seaford, Del.), who left the game striking out two in 3.2 innings. Hanson shut the Ram line-up down and got credit for the win, her second of the season. She is now five victories away from tying Jaci Kalp¡¯s Nittany Lion record for career wins.

Both Wolfer and Murray were named to the Seminole Challenge all-tournament team. Both batted over .400 for the weekend, with Wolfer going 5-for-12 (.417) and Murray hitting 6-for-15 (.400) and driving four Penn State runners home.

Penn State returns to the Seminole Softball Complex again tomorrow to meet Connecticut. That game begins at noon.

 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 F Rhode Island 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 Penn State 1 2 0 0 0 0 x 3