The Youngstown State softball team (2-14) opens the home portion of the 2008 schedule when it hosts Niagara (9-12), today, at 2 p.m. at McCune Park in Canfield, Ohio.

    The Penguins are coming off three losses to Horizon League foe Loyola last weekend and are looking to snap a four-game losing skid.

    The Purple Eagles, who have won their last two contests, are coming off a 6-2 win over Binghamton on March 27.

Hafley Has Monster Week

Senior Bethany Hafley batted .385 in five games last week. She was instrumental in the Guins’ lone win over Akron, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and three runs batted in. She also scored twice and drove in another run in an 8-7 loss to the Zips. In YSU’s 9-1 loss to Loyola, Hafley belted her first career home run and collected two of the Penguins five total hits on the weekend. Hafley also posted a .769 slugging percentage.

Bedra Continues Climb

Senior McKenzie Bedra extended her career home run record to 26 after belting a home run against. She also ranks third place on the YSU all-time RBI list with 95.  She also needs nine more to move into second place.

Fantastic Fornal

Senior Jamie Fornal batted .385 (5-for-13) with a double and a home run last week. She hit her first home run of the season against Loyola on Saturday. She also posted a .692 slugging percentage.

Bair Streak Snapped

Sophomore Kristin Bair’s hitting streak was snapped at eight games. Bair batted .357 last week, going 5-for-14 with a double, triple and a run batted in.

Up Next

The Guins return to Horizon League action when it hosts UIC in a three-game series, April 5-6, at McCune Park. First pitch on both days is at 1 p.m.