LEESBURG, Fla. – The Penn State softball team (0-9, 0-9 Big Ten) fought in extra innings for the second-straight game, but ultimately fell to the Iowa Hawkeyes (5-4, 5-4 Big Ten), 2-0, in the eighth inning Friday afternoon at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex.
The game remained scoreless through the regular seven innings of play before Iowa scored two runs in the top of the eighth for the win.
The Hawkeyes recorded the first hit of the game in the top of the second with a double down the left field line, but the Penn State defense, led by sophomore pitcher Vanessa Oatley, was able to take care of business to get back to the plate.
Penn State's first hit came from sophomore Michelle Leone with a two-out single up the middle in the bottom of the third after junior Lilia Crouthamel drew a walk, but both runners were stranded to end the inning.
Sophomore Lexie Black doubled to the fence in the next offensive attempt for the Nittany Lions but could not be brought home to put runs on the board.
In the bottom of the seventh, Penn State attempted to register a walk-off win with a two-out rally. Freshman Lauren Marcotte came in and had a pinch-hit single and senior Dani Fey singled to left field as the next batter before the Hawkeyes were able to get the third out and force extra innings for the second-straight game.
Playing with the International Tie Breaker Rule again, Iowa was first on offensive and advanced their runner to third on a wild pitch by junior Bailey Parshall. The Hawkeyes then drew a walk and then the next batter singled up the middle to score one run with no outs. An infield hit then loaded the bases before Iowa was able to score one more run on an error to take the 2-0 lead.
The Penn State defense was able to get the next three outs to get the offense back to the plate but unfortunately couldn't find any runs of its own.
Oatley finished with three strikeouts in 7.0 innings.
ON DECK
Penn State will next play Illinois in a three-game series at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex. The first two games will be part of a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 10:20 a.m.
