UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State softball team (1-17, 1-17 Big Ten) was bested by the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-7, 11-7 Big Ten) twice Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field.
"It was a tough day, I think it's as simple as that," said head coach Clarisa Crowell. "Ohio State is obviously a good team, but I feel like we could've been better today than what we were. Tomorrow is a new day, and really what our staff and team is going to focus on is how we are going to be better tomorrow. I do think we did some things well, but against a team like that we've got to start piecing some things together a little better and execute at a higher level."
Game 1: Ohio State 2, Penn State 1
Junior starting pitcher Bailey Parshall pitched a really good game for Penn State in game one, only allowing two runs against a powerful Ohio State offense, and striking out five.
Offensively, Penn State only had two hits from sophomore Maggie Finnegan and freshman Mel Coombs.
After two scoreless innings, Ohio State took the lead in the top of the third after a lead-off double and then a sacrifice bunt and a groundout to score the run.
The Penn State defense stayed within one for the next three innings, stranding three total runners.
The Buckeyes then homered in the top of the seventh to take a two-run advantage.
As always, the Nittany Lions showed their "never-give-up" attitude, and took the game back within one in the bottom of the seventh with a home run from Coombs in the lead off position. It was Coombs' second-straight home run in as many games. Ohio State, however, found the next three outs to preserve a 2-1 victory in game one.
Game 2: Ohio State 9, Penn State 3
In game two of the doubleheader, Ohio State got off to an even earlier lead with a solo home run in the top of the first. They had another solo home run in the top of the second.
Penn State got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the second, with a single from junior Melina Livingston and a drawn walk by sophomore Michelle Leone to put two runners on. Sophomore Kaitlyn Morrison then hit a RBI-single with two outs to score Livingston and cut the Buckeyes' lead in half.
Ohio State fought right back, adding three runs on three hits in the top of the third to take a 5-1 lead.
The Buckeyes added two more runs on two hits in the top of the fifth to make it 7-1.
In the bottom of the frame, freshman Emily Maddock had a pinch-hit single to start the offense for the Nittany Lions. Junior Chelsea Bisi then singled to right field and advanced all the way to third after a fielding error by the Buckeyes, allowing senior Dani Fey to score.
Livingston homered in the bottom of the sixth to cut the score to 7-3, and Morrison doubled in that frame, to give both of them multi-hit performances in the game. The home run for Livingston was her first of the season after missing the previous few weeks due to injury.
The Buckeyes scored two more runs on three hits in the top of the seventh for the eventual 9-3 winning score.
ON DECK
The series between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes continue Sunday at noon from Beard Field.
GAME NOTES
- Sophomore Maggie Finnegan is now on a six-game hit streak for the Nittany Lions, a team and career high.