April 13, 2016
By Mike Gilbert, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The shadows were just starting to cover a portion of the infield, as it appeared, at least briefly, that game one of the doubleheader vs. Bucknell Wednesday, would belong to the Bison. Penn State's Shelby Miller had other ideas.
The junior from Sugar Land, Texas launched a game-tying bomb over the right field wall halfway to Pegula Ice Arena in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Miller shuffled towards the pitcher, Ichiro style, and unleashed a forceful swing, hitting her eighth home run of the 2016 campaign.
Miller wasn't the only Nittany Lion batting at the top of the order that produced. Second baseman Mollie Sorenson, batting second in game one of the doubleheader, singled home the winning run in the bottom of the seventh, taking an incredibly important game from Bucknell in the process. Penn State would not waste a dominating performance in the circle by Marleina Laubach, who tossed a complete game while giving up just one run.
Head coach Amanda Lehotak believes one of the keys to her team's success, Wednesday, was the timely hitting of the top of the order.
"One, two, three, they're usually the most consistent hitters. So for them to keep coming through like they have been all year is a big part of our offensive plan," said Lehotak.
Lehotak was also thrilled with Miller's display of power.
"We don't talk a lot about power, but to have that power, we can tie it up like Shelby Miller did," she added.
Game one went well for the top of the order, but could they do it again in the second? Yes, and it wouldn't take long. In the first inning, leadoff hitter Macy Jones lined a single to open the game. Sorenson would sacrifice her over after laying one down and Shelby Miller, who else, drove her in with a one-out double.
Jones would later homer in the third, and Miller would score in the same frame, pushing the Blue & White's lead to 4-0. Miller was happy to be able to start things off right for her team.
"It's very important in every game, to have [the top of the order] set the tone. We're the first ones to go up there every first inning of the game and we really like to set the tone," said Miller.
When asked about the pressure of batting late in games, Miller showed off why she is someone the Lions can rely on in clutch moments down the stretch.
"We're in those situations all the time, the game is all about pressure," she said. "It's different for me when I lead off, I don't put as much pressure on myself."
The key for Penn State down the stretch is to continue to get production from the top of the order, as the pitching and defense have held up well of late. With two important victories against Bucknell, the Nittany Lions are one step closer to playing in the NCAA tournament. The road continues over the weekend. Penn State will face Maryland at home for a three-game series beginning Friday night.