UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State softball team dropped both ends of a doubleheader against No. 19 Michigan Saturday afternoon as the Wolverines claimed 10-0 and 12-2 victories at Beard Field at Nittany Lion Softball Park.
GAME ONE
The Wolverines used a solo home run to take an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second and then added nine runs in the final three innings. Penn State couldn't find an answer for Michigan pitcher Alex Storako who leads the Big Ten in both strikeouts and ERA.
Hits from Melina Livingston and Kennedy Legg showed some Penn State fight in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Nittany Lions weren't able to cross the plate to extend the game as the Wolverines walked away with the 10-0 victory.
GAME TWO
Michigan picked up where it left off in the nightcap as the Wolverines took a 5-0 lead through the first two innings. Penn State began to come to life in the bottom of the third as hits from Maggie Finnegan and Kaitlyn Morrison helped the Nittany Lions loaded the bases with one out, but Michigan turned a double play to end the threat and take its 5-0 lead to the fourth.
Pitcher Vanessa Oatley settled in to limit the Wolverines to just one run in the third through fifth innings before Penn State got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. Coombs came through with a two-run, two-out double to pull PSU within 6-2 through five frames. Coombs has now batted in all three of Penn State's runs thus far in the weekend series.
Michigan answered right back with a six spot in the top of the sixth inning and Penn State wasn't able to recover as the Wolverines claimed the 12-2 win and doubleheader sweep.
ON DECK
Penn State and Michigan conclude the four-game weekend series with a noon game Sunday afternoon.
