Defense Contributes to Two Close Games with Illinois

LEESBURG, Fla – The Penn State softball team (0-11, 0-11 Big Ten) was within a run with an Illinois team receiving votes in two of the major polls thanks to solid defense, but could not pull off the upset, falling twice to the Illini (9-2, 9-2 Big Ten), 1-0, 2-1, in a doubleheader Saturday morning at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex.

Game 1: Illinois 1, Penn State 0
Junior pitcher Kylee Lingenfelter led the Penn State defense in the circle as the Nittany Lions did a good job stranding Illini runners throughout the game, even after they threatened with lead-off base hits.

Illinois' first hit came from the lead-off batter in the bottom of the first but Penn State retired the next three batters to keep the Illini off the board.

The same thing happened in the bottom of the second as Illinois hit a lead-off double but Lingenfelter struck out the next two swinging and then the defense took care of the third to keep it a 0-0 game after two.

The Illini were finally able to crack the scoreboard in the fourth with a triple and then a two-out error to score the runner for the eventual 1-0 winning scoreline.

Penn State's offense struggled in the game, only registering one hit from junior Ally Kurland.

Lingenfelter recorded a season-high four strikeouts in her complete-game outing.

Game 2: Illinois 2, Penn State 1
Game two unfortunately went similarly for the Nittany Lions as the defense played well but the offense had a hard time getting going.

Illinois took the first lead of the game in the top of the third, scoring one run on three hits.

However, Penn State was able to get the run right back in the bottom half of the frame. Senior Dani Fey made it to second as the lead-off after a throwing error by the Illini catcher. She then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Mel Coombs. Sophomore Michelle Leone was then able to bat her home with a sacrifice fly to tie the game at one after three innings.

Junior Bailey Parshall then struck out the side in the top of the fourth to keep the momentum going for the Nittany Lions.

The Illini were able to retake the lead in the top of the sixth after the lead-off batter drew a walk and then advanced to second on a groundout before being batted home on a RBI single.

Penn State tried to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh as sophomore Maggie Finnegan had a base hit and then advanced to second on an error but she was stranded to end the game.

Parshall finished with seven strikeouts in the complete game.

ON DECK
Penn State concludes the series with Illinois and its trip to Florida Sunday morning at 9:20 a.m.