UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State softball team (20-22, 4-8 Big Ten) dropped the series opener to Rutgers (18-19, 2-8 Big Ten), 6-1, Friday afternoon at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field.
Due to forecasted rain and stormy weather, the game was pushed up to a 1 p.m. start. With the poor weather continuing on Sunday, but with good weather on Saturday, the series conclude with a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m.
In the series opener, the visitors struck first after drawing a walk in the lead-off position and then doubling to left center to score the runner on base.
Penn State countered with a double from freshman Chelsea Bisi in the bottom half of the opening frame but she was stranded to keep the home team off the scoreboard after one.
The Nittany Lions tied the game with a solo home run on a pitcher's count (0-2) from junior Delaney Elling in the bottom of the second, her second of the season.
Rutgers hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the third to re-take the lead, 4-1, while keeping Penn State scoreless for the remainder of the game.
The Scarlet Knights added runs in the fifth and sixth for the eventual 6-1 winning score.
Destiny Weber and Toni Polk also had hits for the Nittany Lions in the contest.
The series will conclude Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m. at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m.
Fans planning to attend Saturday's games are encouraged to arrive on campus earlier than normal in order to assist traffic flow and parking in accordance with the Blue-White Game presented by Highmark.
Softball fans without reserved parking should park in the grass parking lot just past the outfield fence between Nittany Lion Softball Park and the Intramural Building, traveling eastbound on Park Avenue from Atherton Street. Parking lots open at 8 a.m.
Fans with tickets for the Sunday game can redeem them at the ticket office at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field for both games on Saturday or for any remaining game in the 2019 regular season.
Groups who planned to participate in Sunday's Little League Day promotion can attend one or both games on Saturday or use their tickets for any remaining regular season game. Please contact Brittany Ferrizzi at 610-406-1260 with further questions.
