April 26, 2018
By Andy Kuros, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -After falling behind 5-3 in the fifth inning of game one vs Bucknell, the Nittany Lions clawed their way back into the game and nearly completed a late comeback. Senior Gianna Arrizurieta's RBI triple and sophomore Kennedy Legg's game-tying RBI groundout in the 6thinning helped Penn State tie the game at 5-5, forcing extra innings.
Even though Bucknell eventually scored two runs in the 10thresulting in a victory, the Blue and White showed tremendous fight in their valiant comeback effort.
"I was really proud of our fight in game one," head coach Amanda Lehotak said postgame after the Nittany Lions' doubleheader against Bucknell. "I feel like it could've gone either way. We again continued to be fighters, we just couldn't get the big hit."
Here are some takeaways from the Nittany Lion's doubleheader with the Bison Wednesday evening.
Player of the Game- Haley Vallejos
Although seven different players registered a hit in game one of the series, Penn State was led offensively by freshman Haley Vallejos. The Arizona native went 3-4 from the six spot in the order, setting a new career high in hits in a single game.
"I've been in the cages doing different things with my swing," Vallejos credited to her big game. "What I was doing originally wasn't really me. I had a great individual (practice) beforehand and I'm definitely more relaxed and not overthinking anymore. I'm just letting the ball come to me and trying to hit it as hard as I can."
Vallejos' offensive success led Lehotak to move her catcher to the cleanup spot in the lineup. Despite the change in batting order, to a new role with much greater importance, it was business as usual for Vallejos.
"I don't really think about where I'm hitting (in the order). I just try to get on base no matter what," Vallejos said. "Where I bat in the lineup doesn't affect how I play."
The first year Nittany Lion has certainly come into her own as of late. Vallejos' three-hit performance rose her average to .217 to go along with her strong defense behind the plate. Even though she went 0-2 in game two, her great defense behind the plate and seven combined put-outs in the two games proved to be a great help for the Nittany Lions defensively.
Outfielders Tori Dubois and Christa Wagner also made big contributions in the first contest, recording a combined 3 hits and 3 runs batted in.
Mensinger's Moment
The senior pitcher, and former team manager, turned in two good performances in the circle Wednesday night. Mensinger threw 3.1 innings over the course of the doubleheader and only allowed a total of two earned runs. Her season ERA now stands at 3.45, a very impressive for someone who is pitching in their first season since high school.
What's Next?
Penn State will now turn its attention to Illinois, as the Fighting Illini will visit Beard Field for a three-game series this weekend.