Baltimore, Md. (March 14, 2014) – The Mount softball team lost to Youngstown State on Friday night by a final score of 4-2 in the first game of the Coppin State Invitational. Senior pitcher Nicole Pagano struck out 11 batters on the day.

The Mount (7-9-1), which picked up three hits from Megan Baker, scored both of its runs in the top of the first inning. Cat Clifford delivered an RBI single to score Jessica Greenewald, and with two outs, Rachel Gavigan stole home for a 2-0 advantage before Youngstown State (10-7) even got to bat.

The Penguins cut the Mount's lead in half in the bottom of the fourth when Miranda Castiglione scored on a passed ball. Castiglione led off the inning with a walk then advanced to third on an error.

In the bottom of the sixth, Youngstown State took a 3-2 edge on Sarah Ingalls' two-run home run and made it 4-2 on a bases-loaded walk.

The Mount tried to level the score in the top of the seventh, but stranded a runner on second base when the game ended.

The Mountaineers outhit the Penguins, 8-5, but could not string hits together to score enough runs. Pagano reached double-digit strikeouts for the second time this year and did not allow an extra base hit on the day.

The eight hits are tied for the second most for the Mount in a loss this season.

The Mount takes on UMass-Lowell and Coppin State tomorrow.