ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Penn State softball team (23-29, 6-14 Big Ten) was topped by No. 22 Michigan (37-11, 19-1 Big Ten), 7-2, Sunday afternoon in the series finale at the Wilpon Complex and Alumni Field.
Three of Penn State's hits were extra-base hits, with doubles to shallow left field from Dani Fey and Ally Kurland and a triple down the right field line by Toni Polk.
Michigan got on the board first in the opening frame with two sacrifice hits with two runners on for the early 1-0 lead.
The ranked Wolverines added another run in the bottom of the third on two hits before tacking on four runs in the next inning.
The Nittany Lions finally cracked the scoreboard in the top of the sixth after Polk hit her third triple of the season and then scored on Chelsea Bisi's fielder's choice.
Penn State continued to fight in the top of the seventh as Lilia Crouthamel drew a lead-off walk before Haley Vallejos singled and Amanda Grieco was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Polk then recorded her second hit of the game to drive in a run and make it 7-2 before Michigan got the final outs to end the game.
Freshman lefty Bailey Parshall struck out three in the start, bringing her season total to 169 for the solo No. 9 spot on Penn State's single-season strikeout list.
Michigan swept the series, 3-0.
The Nittany Lions will close out the 2019 regular season with a three-game homestand at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field, welcoming the Indiana Hoosiers to Happy Valley, May 3-5. Penn State will honor its five seniors prior to Sunday's game.
Tickets are still available for all three games and can be purchased by calling the Penn State Ticket Office at 1-800-NITTANY.
