STATE COLLEGE, Pa., April 19, 2003 - The Penn State softball team's seventh-inning rally fell short as Michigan State hung on to win, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon at Nittany Lion Field. With the loss, the Lions split the two-game series. Senior Gina Bianchini (Pottstown, Pa./Pottsgrove) breaks another school record in the contest.

Michigan State (28-12, 7-4 Big Ten) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Tiffany Wallace's RBI-double scored Margaret Schick. But Penn State (23-16, 5-5 Big Ten) evened the score at 1-1 in the top of the second inning, capitalizing on a Spartan throwing error. The Lions opened the inning with back-to-back singles from seniors Erin Norton (Orange, Calif./El Modena) and Megan Humphrey (San Diego, Calif./Mount Carmel). MSU got the lead runner out a third on a sophomore Leigh Muray (Fairfax Station, Va./W.T. Woodson) fielder's choice, but Brittney Green's throw to first went wild, allowing Norton to score the tying run.

The Spartans regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, 2-1. A lead off walk to Lacy Hauxhurst and a Stephanie Christner hit two batters later put runners in scoring position with one out. Jessica Beech's two-bagger could have broken the game wide open, but after Janette Hurtado scored, Christner was on Hurtado's heels and attempted to score. However, Christner turned back to third base when the throw by senior Kelley Galigher (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill) reached the infield causing Beech to get caught in a run down between the second and third bases. Beech ended up reaching second safely, but on the play, Christner broke for home again and the Lions saved the run as she was gunned down by junior second baseman Barbie Pierce (Citrus Heights, Calif./El Camino).

The Lions used three hits in the top of the third to knot the game up again, 2-2. Freshman Destinie Chavez (San Leandro, Calif./San Leandro) recorded the first hit of the inning, leading off with a single to right field. After the Spartans recorded the first out, Bianchini ran out an infield hit also advancing sophomore Steph Viola (Minersville, Pa./Minersville) to second. Viola came into the game to pinch run for Chavez. Sophomore Mandy Nuxoll (Kelso, Wash./Kelso) loaded the bases with a hit up the middle and then a sacrifice fly from Galigher scored Viola. But Michigan State's pitcher Christner struck out her only batter of the game to stop the damage.

Both teams managed to keep the other off the scoreboard in the bottom of the third and top of the fourth innings. Michigan State broke through again, scoring a run in the bottom of the fourth, taking a 3-2 lead. The Spartans had two runners on base when Penn State made an errant throw to third base, allowing Hurtado to score. MSU was on the verge of breaking the game wide open when the bases were loaded with two outs. After Wallace drilled a line drive into foul territory which could have scored a couple of runs, redshirt sophomore pitcher Shana Riggleman (Seaford, Del./Seaford) froze her on the very next pitch for the strikeout.

More dramatics came into play in the bottom of the fifth inning when Michigan State loaded the bases again with one out. But Beech hit a line drive right into Chavez's glove at third base and Chavez doubled off the runner at third base to end the inning.

One swing of the bat from junior Erica Greenberg (Irvine, Calif./Calvary Chapel) tied the game for the third time, 3-3, as she drove in Humphrey, who was walked during her at bat, in the top of the sixth.

Michigan State responded once again in the bottom of the sixth. A Natalie Furrow's two-RBI double put the Spartans ahead, 5-3.

The Lions would battle, however, putting the tying run on base in the top of the seventh. A leadoff walk to Pierce and a single from Bianchini put the tying run on first base with no outs. Beech, who came in to pitch, got a strike out for the first out and the MSU defense got the runner out a third base on a ground out. In PSU's final opportunity, Norton sent the ball to center field which looked as if it was going to drop, but MSU shortstop Schick was completely outstretched and made an amazing game-saving catch to end the ball game.

Bianchini and Nuxoll led the Lion offense which collected eight hits with each going 2-for-4. Riggleman struck out four in 5.2 innings of work.

Bianchini and Norton did break a school record in the game. The two surpassed former Lion Allison Medellin on the career at-bats record. Bianchini now has 665 at-bats while Norton has 664. Medellin set the record in 2001 with 662. Bianchini is also two hits from tying the career record held by Nan Sichler. Bianchini already owns career records for stolen bases (115) and runs scored (145).

Junior pitcher Marisa Hanson (Victoria, Texas/Victoria) was penciled in as the starter but was taken out of the game after just two batters when she was struck in the jaw with line drive. Hanson was sent to the hospital and treated and released.

The Nittany Lions entertain 13th-ranked Michigan in a doubleheader on Sunday, April 20 at 12 p.m. Prior to the start of the game, Penn State will honor its six seniors during the traditional Senior Day Festivities.

--LIONS--