DURHAM, N.C. – After a nearly 90 minute rain delay and an early 1-0 deficit, freshman Ally Kurland tied the game with her first career home run, but Duke added two more runs in the third for the eventual 3-1 victory on the final day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Sunday at Duke Softball Stadium.
The Blue Devils got on the board in the opening frame for the early 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the senior duo of Toni Polk and Tori Dubois each had hits to put runners on first and second with just one out before the rain delay started.
88 minutes later, the game was back on. The Penn State offense was not able to convert any runs on the hits in the first inning, but the defense took care of business in the next half inning to bring the Nittany Lions (3-6) back to the plate.
With two outs, Kurland blasted a deep ball to center field for her first collegiate home run and a tie ballgame at one each.
In the third inning, Duke had a lead-off single and a walk before a sac bunt advanced the runners to second and third. A two-RBI single then gave the Blue Devils a 3-1 lead.
Dubois had one more hit in the bottom of the third before Duke's defense took over and didn't allow any more hits.
Penn State is now 6-6 in ACC/Big Ten Challenge games after participating for three-straight seasons.
The Nittany Lions head back to the sun for the Knights Classic hosted by UCF in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 23-24. They will face Coastal Carolina, UCF, Pitt and Louisiana Tech.
