UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State softball team wasn't able to slow down a strong Michigan squad as the #19 Wolverines earned a 7-1 victory in Friday's series opener at Beard Field at Nittany Lion Softball Park.
The PSU offense put together an early threat in the bottom of the first as a Kennedy Legg walk was followed by a Chelsea Bisi single to put two on with one out, but Michigan pitcher Meghan Beaubien worked out of the early jam.
PSU junior pitcher Bailey Parshall was sharp early on, striking out three Wolverines through the first two frames and keeping Michigan hitless until the top of the third when a pair of doubles and a Penn State error allowed the Wolverines to plate three unearned runs and take a 3-0 lead.
Parshall worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth to keep the Michigan edge at 3-0 before settling in to retire nine-straight batters. The Wolverines added four insurance runs in the top of the seventh, only two of which were earned, to stretch their lead to 7-0.
Penn State put up a fight in the bottom of the seventh as Melody Coombs sent her third home run of the season over the right-center fence to put the Nittany Lions on the board. PSU added another hit and a walk in the final frame, but it wasn't enough as #19 Michigan secured the 7-1 series-opening win.
GAME NOTES
- Coombs seventh-inning homer was her team-best third of the season.
- Parshall finished with five strikeouts, putting her just five away from hitting the 400-career strikeout mark.
- Only two of Michigan's seven runs were earned.
ON DECK
- The weekend series continues Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader.