Greenville, N.C. - The Youngstown State softball team collected 12 hits but the Penguins dropped a 5-4 decision in nine innings to East Carolina on Wednesday afternoon.

Senior Maria Lacatena went 3-for-4 while junior Cali Mikovich went 2-for-4 with a two-run double in the top of the eighth inning. Freshman Maddi Lusk went 2-for-3 and score two runs.

Mikovich broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run double in the top of eight inning to put the Penguins up 4-2. Lusk and junior Stevie Taylor each single to lead off the inning, and junior Hannah Lucas' sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third for Mikovich's hit.

The Pirates, though, knotted the game with two runs in the eighth and scored the game-winner on a two-out bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Down 1-0, Lacatena's double to left field scored Mikovich, who walked, to tie the game at 1-1. After the Pirates answered with a run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 2-1 lead, freshman Elizabeth Birkbeck's pinch-hit sinigle in the top of the sixth knotted the game at 2-2.

Lusk struck out five in the complete game loss.

Youngstown State returns to action against Siena, Friday, March 10, at 10 a.m.