STATS

Tempe, AZ - The Wagner College Softball team opened its 2009 season with a 1-0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions at the Arizona State Tournament on Friday. The victory marks Wagner's first win over a Big 10 school since March 9, 2005 when the Seahawks blanked Michigan State 4-0.

Locked in a scoreless battle through five and half innings, the Seahawks mounted an attack in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on first and second, 2008 NEC Player of the year Andrea Lazzari (Reno, NV / Wooster) picked up where she left off last season, knocking in an RBI single to right field scoring Kate Eshelman (Reno, NV / McQueen) for the winning run. 

In the top of first, sophomore Emily Pierce (Phoenix, AZ / Desert Vista) made an amazing catch. When PSU's Lisa Akamine launched a long fly ball to the center field fence that appeared destined to clear the fence, Pierce's speed allowed her to catch up to the ball as she snared it right in front of the fence.

Senior left fielder Cindy Bagnoli (Old Tappan, NJ / Old Tappan) preserved the 1-0 lead when she cut down a out a runner headed for home, firing a rocket of a throw which was just in time to catch the runner as catcher Jamie El-Aazami (Houston, TX/ Cypress Hills) applied the tag.

In the seventh inning, Wagner shut the door on the Lions. giving the Seahawks their first victory of the season. 

Lazzari led the team at the plate with one hit and one RBI, while Hailey Corthell (Reno, NV / Reno) followed with a hit. 

Freshman Kaelynn Armenta (Whittier, CA / Paul HS) threw a magnificent four- hit shutout in her seven innings on the mound. Armenta also struck out three of the 26 batters she faced.