YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The University of Dayton softball team split its non-conference doubleheader at Youngstown State on Monday, falling to the Penguins, 5-3, and then coming from behind in the nightcap to take the second game by the same margin, 5-3. Senior Alysha Isaacson's two-RBI double in the top of the seventh plated what proved to be the winning run in game two. Senior Rachel Archer led the team offensively with a 3-for-6 day at the plate.

With the win in today's second game, the Flyers reached the 20-win mark for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. Junior Natalie Mariano extended her reach-base-safely streak to 18 after today's games.

GAME ONE: Youngstown State 5, Dayton 3 | Box Score (PDF)
Despite a seventh-inning rally, Dayton (20-26) was not able to overcome Youngstown State (23-20), who scored in four of the first five innings. Trailing 3-0, Dayton put together two runs in the fifth on a two-RBI single to right from senior Kasi Vazquez to cut the Penguin advantage to 3-2.

YSU answered in the bottom of the fifth with two runs of their own to stretch the margin to 5-2. Ricks sacrificed in Archer but with a runner at first and third, the final Flyer batter struck out to end the game with Youngstown State in front, 5-3.

Junior Kayla English (12-13) was charged with the loss in the circle for the Flyers. She tossed 3.1 innings, striking out four while walking two and gave up three earned runs on seven hits. Sophomore Emily Froment worked 1.2 innings of middle relief, walking one and giving up one run on one hit. Freshman Gabrielle Snyder closed out the game, throwing one inning for the Flyers and striking out one batter to one walk while giving up one run on two hits.

Casey Crozier (14-6) was credited with the win for the Penguins after throwing a complete game. She struck out 12 Flyer batters to three walks and gave up two earned runs on five hits.

GAME TWO: Dayton 5, Youngstown State 3 | Box Score (PDF)
The game remained scoreless through five and a half innings but the Penguins struck first with a three-spot in the bottom of the sixth frame. With two runners on, a single coupled with a Flyer throwing error plated the first run of the game while a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch scored the other two as YSU went ahead, 3-0.

Jennings led off the top of the seventh with a solo home run over the center field fence to kick start the Flyers' late-game rally. With two outs, sophomore Kathryn Hess singled the bases loaded and Ricks was walked in to score UD's second run of the frame. Isaacson followed with a single up the middle, scoring two more and senior Dana Trotta earned a RBI with her single that plated Ricks. After the Flyers third out, Dayton was holding the 5-3 advantage over YSU.

Despite getting a runner on in the bottom of the seventh, Youngstown State was not able to convert and the game ended with Dayton on top, 5-3.

Junior Lyndsey Diggs (1-2) was credited with the win as the pitcher of record when the Flyers took the lead in the top of the seventh. She pitched one inning, striking out one and walking one while giving up two earned runs on three hits. Snyder was the starter in the second game, working 3.2 innings, including the final three outs to earn her third save of the season as she struck out three and walked one. Froment faced the final two batters of the third inning and English threw two complete innings of middle relief.

Kayla Haslett (7-7) was charged with the loss for the Penguins as she tossed 6.2 innings. She struck out six to three walks and gave up five earned runs on nine hits. Caitlyn Minney worked the final out of the contest for YSU.

The Flyers return to action this weekend with two Atlantic 10 Conference series on the road. On Friday and Saturday, Dayton will square off against George Mason and Sunday will feature a doubleheader at George Washington.

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