PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Penn State softball team (17-14, 2-1 Big Ten) avenged an early season loss to in-state foe Pitt (4-26), taking down the Panthers in their home facility, 8-3, Wednesday evening at Vartabedian Field.
The top of the batting order in Toni Polk, Claire Swedberg and Chelsea Bisi each recorded two hits in the game, while Polk scored three of Penn State's eight runs.
The Nittany Lions started the game off strong and took an early two-run lead in the top of the first inning. Polk singled to right field as the lead-off batter and advanced to second via a sacrifice bunt by Swedberg. Bisi then smashed a 0-1 count to center field for her fifth home run of the season.
The Panthers threatened with a hit in the bottom of the opening frame but Swedberg at second and Meghan Williams at first turned the double play to keep Pitt off the board.
Dani Fey and M. Williams each had a hit in the middle three innings but the offense was not able to convert with runners on. Pitt cut its deficit to one after scoring one run on two hits in the fourth.
In the top of the fifth, Melina Livingston singled to left field before Polk smashed a pitch way out of the complex in right field for her fifth home run of the season and the 3-1 Penn State lead.
Pitt answered with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the frame to once again make it a one-run game after five.
Penn State then countered with four runs in the top of the sixth for the eventual 8-3 winning score. With Christa Wagner on second after pinch running after a fielder's choice, Livingston reached base via a Pitt defensive error and Wagner used her speed to score.
Polk then walked to put two runners on before Swedberg singled up the middle to score both runners. Bisi then hit her first career triple to center field to score Swedberg for her team-leading third RBI of the day.
Pitt threatened with a hit and a fielder's choice before both runners advanced bases after a wild pitch but the Penn State defense took care of business and held the Panthers at three runs.
Bailey Parshall picked up her seventh win in the circle with eight strikeouts and no walks.
Penn State returns to Happy Valley and conference play, welcoming No. 25 Wisconsin to Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field for a three-game series, March 29-31. First pitch for Friday's game is set for 6 p.m.
Tickets are still available for the series and can be purchased by calling the Penn State Ticket Office at 1-800-NITTANY, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Game Notes:
- Penn State's two home runs in the game marks the sixth multi-home run game this season and brings the team season total to 22.
- Penn State is 15-1 this season when scoring at least three runs.
- Freshman Claire Swedberg is up to a 16 game reached base streak while classmate Chelsea Bisi is at 12.
- Penn State split the season matchups with Pitt, 1-1, but still holds the all-time advantage, 16-8.