UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- Penn State softball split its last home doubleheader of the season against Bucknell Wednesday night, dropping the first game 4-2 before a second-game comeback led the Nittany Lions to pull away with the win 9-8.
"Game one in the doubleheader continues to be the thorn in our side and we are working on it," head coach Amanda Lehotak said. "We knew tonight would be a dog fight and it always is against [Bucknell]."
The Nittany Lions showed strength out the gate, taking an early game one lead. While they did not take the first game, they displayed fight being able to get out of situations as well as they have all season.
In game two, the Nittany Lions proved they can bounce back and wouldn't let any late runs mess with their heads as Bucknell scored two runs to tie it in the seventh. Though Penn State used a total of four pitchers to find its groove on the mound over the seven innings, a strong showing at the plate kept the team fighting until the very end when they pulled out a win.
Throughout the season, Penn State has had losses come from one bad inning, something the team has worked on all year. Lehotak addressed this issue with her squad, working on how to clean up their plays and avoid a domino effect. They were able to avoid that bad inning in the seventh when Bucknell tied the game, and still pulled out the win.
While a strong defense is certainly a priority for Lehotak and her team as the season winds down, the Nittany Lions have really shined offensively all season. They currently have 45 home runs, topping a previous single-season best of 31. Those big hits came when they needed it in the second-game win.
"I am really proud of how we had a lot of contributions offensively and our kids never gave up," Lehotak said. "I thought Destiny Weber had a career day today. Toni Polk had a huge home run and Meghan Williams had the game-winning hit."
Weber recorded her third home run of the season in game two, adding to an impressive offensive effort by the junior in the last half of the season. She currently leads the team in batting average (.358, and is one of five Nittany Lions hitting above .333 on the year.
The junior batted in the cleanup spot of the Nittany Lion order last night, moving up from her typical spot at number five. Weber finished the night 3-for-3 and was one single away from a cycle, an accomplishment that did not cross her mind at the plate.
"I had no idea whatsoever, to be honest," Weber said. "I try to focus on my next at-bat and what I can do for my team."
Polk is another upperclassman finishing up an impressive season at the plate. After Wednesday's blast, she is tied for the most home runs on the team with 12. She also boasts a .338 batting average and has recorded 54 hits this season.
Freshmen are also contributing big-time hits this season. Chelsea Bisi is tied with Polk for the most home runs on the team with 12, while also boasting a .341 batting average and 34 RBIs.
As Penn State continues to grow with multiple young pieces, the team is hungry to learn, fight and win.
"I am really proud of how our kids fought back game two and that is all that matters, how they respond," Lehotak said.
Penn State will travel to Ann Arbor this weekend to take on the Michigan Wolverines for its last Big Ten away series of the season. They will then be back in Happy Valley for a three-game home series against Indiana May 3-5.
