| PENN STATE IN SEATTLE | | | 8-10-0 (0-0-0) |
| Wednesday, March 8 - at Seattle (DH) - 7 p.m. | Thursday, March 9 - at Washington - 8 p.m. | | Friday, March 10 - vs. South Dakota - 2:15 p.m. | | Friday, March 10 - at Washington - 9 p.m. |
|
|
March 7, 2017
PENN STATE READY FOR WEEK-LONG TRIP OUT WEST
The Penn State softball team will continue its trip out west as it travels to Seattle, Washington for a mid-week doubleheader against Seattle University Wednesday, March 8 before taking on Washington in a single game Thursday, March 9 and finishing the week with a contest against South Dakota and the Huskies Friday, March 10.
SERIES HISTORY WITH WEEK DAY OPPONENTS
The Nittany Lions hold a 2-7 all-time record against its week day opponents, picking up one win against both Seattle and Washington, while meeting up with South Dakota for the first time in the history of the two programs. Penn State and Seattle have met up just one time on the field in the history of the two programs with the Nittany Lions holding the 1-0 advantage. The Blue and White took home a 6-1 victory over the Redhawks to close out the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona Feb. 9, 2014. The Nittany Lions will meet up with the Huskies for the first time since the 2013 campaign when Washington took the 13-2 five-inning victory over the Blue and White. Penn State will be looking for its first win over Washington since the 2002 season when the Nittany Lions took the 4-3 victory. The Huskies own the 7-1 all-time record against Penn State.
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Head coach Amanda Lehotak is still looking for the perfect lineup as Penn State heads into week five of the 2017 campaign. The Nittany Lions have seen a different lineup in all 18 games this season with slight changes in the batting order. However, the top two spots have remained consistent since week two with Rebecca Ziegler in the lead off spot and sophomore Mollie Sorenson following her in the two hole.
BRACKPOOL TIES FOR NO. 9 ALL-TIME IN CAREER HOME RUNS
With her solo shot against Idaho State Saturday, March 4 senior Kristina Brackpool moves into a tie with Hollie Haines having blasted 17 home runs in her career as a Nittany Lions. This season, Brackpool has two home runs, tallying one at the Chanticleer Showdown and one at the Colorado State Classic.
MILLER RANKS NO. 11 IN CAREER RBI
With her 13 RBI in the 2017 season, senior Shelby Miller moves into sole possession of the No. 11 spot in Penn State career RBI laurels. The senior third baseman has driven in a 99 RBI in her career donning the Blue and White and needs just two RBI to move into a tie for No. 10 all-time with Hollee Haines.
PENN STATE NOTCHES SEASON-HIGH GAME AGAINST BUFFALO
The Nittany Lions tallied a season-best 14 hits and scored 14 runs against Buffalo on the final day of the Colorado State Classic. The Blue and White surpassed its previous season-best of 10 hits, which it had accomplished two time, while scoring nine runs in the second inning alone against the Bulls. Furthermore, four Nittany Lions notched multi-hit games and five brought in multiple RBI.
ELLING FINDS THE LONG BALL
Freshman Delaney Elling has found a groove at the plate as she drove in six RBI in the last four games. The freshman stepped up to the plate with Penn State trailing 5-1 and launched her first career grand slam over the center field wall to knot the score at 5-5 against Idaho State. Elling followed up the performance with her second career home run, this time over the left field wall, to bring in two runs for the Nittany Lions against Buffalo.
SMITH MAKES CAREER DEBUT
Freshman Madey Smith made her debut in the circle at the Colorado State Classic, tossing three complete innings. The right-handed hurler struck out two batters in her one inning against Colorado State before following it up with two strikeouts against Buffalo in two innings of work.
PSU TO PLAY 17 HOME CONTESTS IN 2017
The Nittany Lions will play 17 of its 52 scheduled games in the friendly confines of the Nittany Lions Softball Park and Beard Field. Last season, Penn State played 20 regular season games at Beard Field, posting an 14-9 overall record. The Blue and White also hosted the Big Ten Softball Tournament for the first time in school history where it picked up a win over Nebraska and fell in the semifinals to Michigan. Penn State has posted a 54-51-1 overall record at Beard Field in its six year existence which is good for a .514 winning percentage.
CONFERENCE TOUR
Penn State will see a slew of representatives from several different conferences this season, taking on teams from 16 different leagues in 2017. The Nittany Lions will take on teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (Georgia Tech, Pitt, Virginia Tech), Big Sky Conference (Idaho State), Big South Conference (Campbell), Big 12 (Oklahoma State), Horizon League (Cleveland State), Mid-American Conference (Buffalo), Mountain West Conference (Colorado State), Northeast Conference (Robert Morris, Saint Francis), Ohio Valley Conference (Morehead State), Pac 12 (Washington), Patriot League (Bucknell), Southeastern Conference (LSU), Southland Conference (McNeese State State), Summit League (South Dakota), Sun Belt Conference (Coastal Carolina) and Western Athletic Conference (Seattle).
ON DECK
Penn State returns to Happy Valley to start its 2017 home slate Wednesday, March 15 against Saint Francis. The two in-state foes will meet up for a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m.
