UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State softball team (17-17, 2-4 Big Ten) fell in the series finale with the No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers, 12-3, Sunday afternoon at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field.
"I'm disappointed, obviously, with this weekend and not getting a victory," said head coach Amanda Lehotak. "Today was a rough day. I'd like that first inning back if we could. Most importantly, though, I'd like to thank all the fans that came out and supported us in the cold and everything. We have the best fans, I think in the country, but especially in our conference, so I really want to thank them for that."
Penn State struggled defensively in the opening frame and allowed Wisconsin to jump out to an early 9-0 lead off five hits and two errors.
The ranked Badgers offense added two more runs in the top of the second and one in the top of the fourth to total 12.
Senior Toni Polk broke up the no-hitter in the bottom of the third with a single down the right field line that went through the first baseman's legs before she even had the chance to put her glove down.
The Nittany Lions did not give up though, battling to put three runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth off two hits and two Wisconsin errors.
It started with a lead-off walk on freshman Chelsea Bisi to put a runner on with no outs. Classmate Lilia Crouthamel came in to run for Bisi and advanced to second on a wild pitch before advancing to third on a slow-hopper single by senior leader Tori Dubois.
Sophomore Haley Vallejos then reached on a Wisconsin error to score Crouthamel before Dubois scored and Vallejos eventually made it to third after a throwing error. Ally Kurland's RBI-groundout scored Vallejos.
Junior Delaney Elling hit her first career triple to right field but was eventually stranded to end the inning.
Junior transfer Hannah Shields struck out three and freshman lefty Bailey Parshall took down six, both in relief of Kylee Lingenfelter.
Wisconsin swept the series, 3-0, and Penn State dropped to 2-4 in conference play.
Penn State stays within the friendly confines of Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field for a midweek doubleheader with Saint Francis on Wednesday, April 3 starting at 5 p.m.
