April 18, 2014
6 (25-15, 7-5 B1G) | University Park, Pa. • Nittany Lion Softball Park & Beard Field | 3 (14-24, 5-8 B1G) |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; April 18, 2014 - A late rally attempt fell short for the Penn State softball team on Friday evening as the Nittany Lions dropped a 6-3 decision to Wisconsin at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field. Senior Alyssa Sovereign (La Canada, Calif.) led the way for the Blue and White, going 2-for-3 at the plate for her fifth multi-hit performance of the season.
The Nittany Lions (14-24, 5-8 Big Ten) were outhit by the Badgers (25-15, 7-5 Big Ten) nine to five and committed one error while UW completed the game without a single miscue.
Sovereign registered a double and a base hit in the defeat while scoring two of PSU's three runs. The senior's double marked her fourth of the season and she has now posted at least one hit in nine of the last 12 games. Sophomore Lexi Knief (Ramsey, N.J.) extended her hitting streak to 11 consecutive games with a single in the bottom of the seventh and tied her career-high with two RBI, driving in one run in the fifth and one in the seventh.
Three Badgers registered multiple hits on the night as Chloe Miller, Marissa Mersch and Ashley Van Zeeland turned in two apiece. Senior pitcher Cassandra Darrah collected the win for Wisconsin after striking out three Nittany Lions in her 21st complete game of the year.
The Blue and White managed to keep UW off the board in all but two innings but a five-run third inning proved lethal as PSU would never gain the lead.
Katie Christner reached first on an error by freshman second baseman Shelby Miller (Sugar Land, Texas) to open the third and Megan Tancill headed to first on fielder's choice. Mary Massei stepped up to the plate next and delivered her lone hit of the game, a three-run homer over the centerfield wall, to put Wisconsin on the board. Stephanie Peace added a two-out solo shot to left field and Van Zeeland registered a base hit to drive in C. Miller and put the score at 5-0.
Penn State recorded its first run in the bottom of the fifth on one hit. Sovereign led off with a double to left center and advanced to second as Alicia Walker (Los Alamitos, Calif.) was hit by one of Darrah's pitches. Sovereign headed to third on a groundout from Maegan Tupinio (Wahiawa, Hawaii) and crossed the plate as Knief reached on fielder's choice, cutting the deficit to four runs.
It did not take Wisconsin long to regain its five-run lead as C. Miller started the next frame off with a homer run to center field. Two more Badgers reached base in the sixth but pitcher Marlaina Laubach (Northampton, Pa.) got the Lions out of the jam, forcing a foul out and a groundout to close the inning.
The Nittany Lions looked to rally in the final frame, loading up the bases with no outs. S. Miller drew a lead-off walk to start the inning, Sovereign followed up with a single to shortstop and Shannon Good (Horseheads, N.Y.) reached first on a fielder's choice as the Badgers failed to get Miller out at third.
A Walker groundout drove in Miller for PSU's second run and Knief sent Sovereign in with a single to shortstop, bringing the score to 6-3. Reina Furuya (Waipahu, Hawaii) attempted to deliver more runs with a shot to right center but ended up hitting into a double play to end the game as UW right fielder Christner made a diving catch and sent it to first before Knief could tag up.
Penn State and Wisconsin continue the series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at Noon. Saturday's games will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network with Wayne Randazzo and Garland Cooper on the call.