ORLANDO, Fla. – The Penn State softball team (5-4) won twice Saturday at UCF Softball Complex, due in part to dominate performances in the circle by left-handed pitchers Vanessa Oatley and Bailey Parshall. The Nittany Lions shut out FAU in game one of the day, 3-0, before taking down Iowa State, 3-1.
Game 1: Penn State 3, FAU 0
After a tough loss to FAU Friday evening, Penn State was ready for a rematch, shutting out the Owls, 3-0.
Freshman pitcher Vanessa Oatley threw a complete game shutout for her first career victory in the circle. She also struck out a career-high four batters.
Penn State started aggressive from the get-go, with two base hits in the opening frame for an early 1-0 lead. Freshman Michelle Leone drew a walk, sophomore Melina Livingston singled through the left side on her first pitch and then scored after a single up the middle from redshirt junior Kennedy Legg.
The Nittany Lions added to their lead in the top of the third with a base hit from freshman Kaitlyn Morrison, a drawn walk by Livingston and a RBI single from sophomore Chelsea Bisi to make it 2-0.
Senior Destiny Weber hit a solo home run to left field, her first of the season, in the top of the sixth to give Penn State a three-run cushion.
Livingston went 2-for-2 at the plate for her first multi-hit game of the season. Sophomores Ally Kurland and Claire Swedberg also recorded hits in the game.
FAU was able to get runners on in every inning, but the Penn State defense seemed unfazed and got the necessary outs to preserve its second shutout of the season.
Game 2: Penn State 3, Iowa State 1
Penn State continued its solid defense against Iowa State to win its second-straight game, 3-1.
Sophomore pitcher Bailey Parshall struck out a season-high 13 batters, her fourth-career game with 10 or more strikeouts.
The first three innings were scoreless for both teams, however Iowa State did threaten with lead-off hits in its first two offensive possessions, but the Penn State defense stay composed to get the next three outs to keep the Cyclones off the board.
The Nittany Lions struck first in the top of the fourth with a solo home run over the left field fence by Legg, her first of the season.
The Cyclones tied the game at one in the bottom of the fifth with their own solo home run by Carli Spelhaug.
Penn State responded in the next frame with a lead-off single from Morrison before Livingston reached on a fielder's choice. The Nittany Lions then drew two-straight walks with two outs to load the bases before a wild pitch brought Livingston home to put Penn State up 2-1.
Swedberg made a diving catch in right center in the bottom half of the frame to keep momentum in Penn State's corner as the Nittany Lions were able to tack on one more run in the top of the seventh with a RBI single from Morrison.
Morrison went 3-for-4 in the outing and now has a team-high four multi-hit games this season.
On Deck
Penn State wraps up the Florida stint in the UCF Knights Classic in a rematch against Villanova Sunday at 9 a.m.