FRESNO, Calif., March 9, 2007¡ª Penn State dropped an 8-7 decision to Colorado State to open the Bulldog Classic at Fresno State. The Lions scored five runs over the first four innings to take a 5-0 lead, but the Rams answered with a six run fifth inning. Penn State (7-8) took the lead again with two runs in the sixth, but it wasn¡¯t enough as Colorado State scored twice in the final inning to come out with the win.

The Nittany Lions got on the board first after Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) and Ashley Esparza (San Pedro, Calif.) both singled and Danielle Kinley (Carlsbad, Calif.) was walked. Kayce Zielinski (Arlington, Texas) earned the RBI on Griffith¡¯s run after grounding out.

Penn State added to its lead in the third inning when Kinley got the hitting started with a single to left field. Catcher Hollee Haines (Riverside, Calif.) then belted a double to the outfield wall, scoring Kinley. Rebecca Bautista (Elk Grove, Calif.), a pinch runner for Haines, scored the second run of the inning after hometown girl Jenn Reynolds (Clovis, Calif.) doubled deep to left field.

The Nittany Lions scored twice in the forth inning to increase their lead to five. Griffith and Jen Acunto (Hollywood, Fla.) tallied runs after Rams pitcher Cayte Billman overthrew first base on an Esparza hit.

Colorado State came roaring back in the fifth inning, scoring six runs to take the lead. The Rams hit a single and two doubles to come within one run of Penn State. Center fielder Allison Majam then smacked a two-run homer to center field to give Colorado State its first lead of the game at 6-5.

Acunto gave Penn State a chance to close the gap when she belted a long triple to the right field corner to lead off the sixth inning. Griffith then bunted safely to reach first. The next batter, Esparza, hit a fly ball to center field, but Acunto was able to score the game-tying run. Griffith then scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch.

Colorado State tied the game when Majam hit an RBI single and retook the lead when Majam scored off of a double by pitcher Rebecca Penland in the seventh inning.

Bulldog Classic action continues on Saturday, March 10 with a second game against Colorado State at 11:30 a.m. PT and a game with Brigham Young at 2 p.m. All games are available on GameTracker.