LINCOLN, Neb. – The Penn State softball team (0-13, 0-13 Big Ten) fell in the series opener to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-6, 7-6 Big Ten), 9-0, in five innings Friday evening at Bowlin Stadium.
The Nittany Lions attempted to get things going in their first time at the plate, with sophomore Michelle Leone registering a double to the left field wall and then advancing to third on a throwing error. Nebraska, however, was able to get the next two outs to strand Leone in scoring position.
Junior starting pitcher Bailey Parshall and the defense responded well in the bottom of the frame, even with giving up two walks they were able to strand both runners to keep the game scoreless.
Nebraska took the early lead in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs on three hits.
In the top of the third, sophomore Maggie Finnegan singled through the left side and Leone drew a walk, both with two outs, but Penn State once again stranded runners in scoring position.
The Cornhuskers added a fourth run on a solo home run in their next time on offense to go up 4-0 after three.
Senior pitcher Logan Black came in to give the Penn State defense a new look, but Nebraska put the game away in the bottom of the fourth, adding five runs to the scoreboard on four hits and an error.
Junior Claire Swedberg came in to pinch hit in the fifth, registering a lead-off double and advancing to third on a fly ball to the outfield before being stranded to end the game by run-rule.
ON DECK
The Nittany Lions and Cornhuskers continue the series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT.
