The Youngstown State softball team's 2021 season came to an end after a pair of losses to UIC, 5-4, and Oakland, 3-0, in the Horizon League Softball Championship

The Penguins end the season with an overall record 36-15 and tied the school record for most wins in a season.

In the opener, the Flames jumped out an 2-0 in the top of first inning on a two-run home run by Tara McElligott.

Senior Nikki Saibene cut the lead in half with a two-out solo home run to center field in the bottom of the second. It was Saibene's 12th home run of the year, which ranks tied for the second most in a single-season.

The Flames extended the lead to 3-1 with a run in the top of the third and two more in the top of the fourth, including an unearned run, to take a 5-1 lead.

Youngtown State answered with a pair in the bottom half of the frame. Maddi Lusk and Alex DeLeon singled and Lusk scored on Jillian Jakse's fielder's choice and an error by UIC to cut the deficit to 5-2. DeLeon scored on an Avrey Schumacher ground out to get the Penguins within two.

DeLeon led off the bottom of the sixth with a double to left field and scored on Jakse's runs scoring single up the middle to cut the lead to one, 5-4. The Penguins' threat was squelched by a pop up on a sacrifice bunt attempt and a double play.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Penguins got the game-tying run on third base after pinch-runner Sydney Payne advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on an error.

UIC pitcher Marley Hanlon got a strikeout and induced a ground out to end the game.

Elle Buffenbarger struck out seven in a complete-game loss.

Against Oakland, the Penguins mustered just four hits in the loss. 

In the top of the fourth, Oakland strung together three straight hits and capitalized on an error to score a pair of runs to take a 2-0 lead.

The Golden Grizzlies added an insurance run in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly.

Lusk turned in a solid performance scattering just six hits and allowing two earned runs.