| PENN STATE SOFTBALL | | | 1-10 (0-0 B1G) |
| Tuesday, March 6-Sunday, March 11 | College Station, Texas & Houston, Texas | |
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March 5, 2018
NITTANY LIONS SET FOR WEEK-LONG TRIP TO THE LONE STAR STATE
The Penn State softball team will head to Texas to play seven games over the course of its spring break March 6-11. The Nittany Lions will take on Texas A&M on Tuesday, March 6 before traveling to Lamar Wednesday, March 7 for a single game. The Blue and White cap off the week-long trip in Houston, Texas for five games at the Houston Tournament Friday, March 9-Sunday, March 11.
CATCHING THE GAMES FROM HOME
Fans who cannot make the trip with the Nittany Lions can catch all the action live by following along with live Twitter updates @PennStateSB while also following live stats at GoPSUsports.com.
PENN STATE AGAINST WEEKEND OPPONENTS
The Nittany Lions have played four of its six week opponents a total of 89 times with its most meetings coming against Big Ten Conference foe Northwestern. Penn State trails in the all-time meeting between all six squads, 63-26. Texas A&M, Northwestern, and Iowa State all hold winning records against the Blue and White, while Penn State earned the victory in its one meeting with Lipscomb. Finally, the Nittany Lions will meet up with both Lamar and Houston for the first time in the history of the two programs with one game against each.
SHAFFER FINDS CONFIDENCE IN THE CIRCLE
Junior hurler Madison Shaffer found her stride at the Jacksonville Tournament for the Nittany Lions. Shaffer made a statement in the circle in week three of the season, pitching in all five games and making two starts for a total of 16.1 innings. The junior hurler came in against Western Carolina in relief and tossed 4.0 innings, striking out four and surrendering just one run. In her second appearance of the day, Shaffer earned the start and struck out a career-high eight batters at Jacksonville, while giving up just five hits in the loss.
DUBOIS LEADING AT THE DISH
Junior Tori Dubois paced the Nittany Lions at the plate in Jacksonville, going 7-for-16 for a .438 batting average paired with a .471 on-base percentage and a .562 slugging percentage. Dubois drove in four RBI on the weekend, including bringing in two in Penn State's victory over Jacksonville. Furthermore, Dubois hit two doubles for the Blue and White and had five putouts in left field. This season, the junior left fielder is batting .361 with 13 hits which includes five doubles. Dubois has also driven in a team-high five runs and carries a .444 slugging percentage.
FEY POISED FOR BREAKOUT FRESHMAN SEASON
Freshman Dani Fey was as standout at the plate for the Nittany Lions, moving into the leadoff spot in week three of the season. Fey hit .385 on the weekend and carried a .556 on-base percentage, drawing four walks, while also holding a .385 slugging percentage. The freshman outfieler and catcher tallied five hits while scoring a team-high five times for the Blue and White. Fey also stole two bases for Penn State on the weekend. This season, Fey has a team-best .529 on-base percentage with six hits and eight walks. Fey also leads the team in runs scored with seven and stolen bases with two. Finally, Fey heads into the fourth week of the season with a team-best eight game reached base streak.
PENN STATE SECURES WIN NUMBER ONE
After searching for its groove with a young team, the Nittany Lions put it all together when they played their second game at Jacksonville Friday, Feb. 23. Penn State used a string of hits to bring in its runs, while getting the leadoff batter on four times in the contest. After the Dolphins tied the game, Penn State would answer to go up by one, 3-2, before Fey scored one final security run to help the Blue and White to a 4-2 victory.
THE MIX THAT WORKS
Head coach Amanda Lehotak used the first three weeks of the season to figure out what the right mix both defensively and offensively was for the young Nittany Lions. After moving players into different positions for the first nine games of the season, the right group looks to be in place at the Penn State field had the same look for the final two games of the Jacksonville Tournament.
ON DECK
The Nittany Lions open the 2018 home slate with a non-conference series Friday, March 16-Sunday, March 18 when they welcome Kent State to town. The home series will mark the first games of the season at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field as Penn State spent the first four weeks of the season on the road.
