May 8, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Penn State softball team fell behind early and could never recover dropping a 3-1 decision to No. 19/22 Ohio State at windy Nittany Lion Field. Penn State (28-21, 7-10 Big Ten) mounted a rally in the seventh, but could get no closer than two runs.
The Nittany Lions got off to an unfortunate start when Courtney Pruner belted a two-out opposite homer off starter Jackie Hill (San Jose, Calif.). The homer came with two on base, giving the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead after two walks put runners in scoring position.
Aside from that lone OSU homer, Hill settled down and would go on to strike out seven. The senior righty allowed just four hits and two walks on the afternoon, which saw winds routinely gusting to 45 mph.
Penn State couldn't generate much offense aside from singles by Mary Ostman (Northbrook, Ill.), Hill and Kailyn Johnson (Yorba Linda, Calif.). Twice the Nittany Lions advanced runners into scoring position, but the Blue and White couldn't drive either runner home before the seventh inning.
In the seventh, Lauren Rossi (Yardley, Pa.) got on with a lead-off bunt single before pinch-hitter Morgan Long (Oro Valley, Ariz.) smacked a liner to right field to put runners on first and second. A fielder's choice sent Rossi to third and Long was forced out at second with one out. Johnson singled home Rossi to cut the lead to two, but a lineout by Ostman and a strikeout by Bell ended the game.
Penn State and Ohio State will square off again on Sunday for a 1:00 p.m. game at Nittany Lion Field. The game will serve as PSU's Senior Day for Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J.), Danielle Noll (Bald Eagle, Pa.) and Kimi Wong (Goleta, Calif.) as well as the final game ever at Nittany Lion Field in its 36-year history. The game will have live stats coverage on GameTracker and live commentary on Twitter (@PSULionSoftball).
--NITTANY LIONS--