MIAMI, Fla. – The Penn State softball team concluded the Panther Invitational with a dominant 10-0 run-rule victory over host FIU Sunday afternoon at Felsberg Field.
The bats were alive for the Nittany Lions as the offense totaled 12 hits for the second time this season, paced by senior Ally Kurland's perfect day at the plate going 4-for-4 with four RBI.
As the No. 1 seed as deemed by the finish of round-robin play in the Panther Invitational on the first two days, Penn State would be the "home" team against host FIU in the finale after the evening games Saturday would get rained out.
After a solid opening defensive frame with three strikeouts by senior pitcher Bailey Parshall, the Nittany Lion offense would work to give Penn State the lead after the first inning. Kurland doubled down the right-field line with one out and got to third on a single to right field by sophomore Lauren Marcotte. Junior Michelle Leone then batted home Kurland for the early 1-0 lead.
The hot bats continued for Penn State in the bottom of the second with back-to-back doubles by junior Cassie Lindmark and Kurland to make it 3-0 Nittany Lions just two innings in.
Senior Lilia Crouthamel added another Penn State run in the bottom half of the third with a single through the left side to score classmate Shelli Rivard who was running for Leone who reached on an error as the lead-off batter in the frame.
In the bottom of the fourth, senior Claire Swedberg led off with a bunt single and advanced to second on Kurland's third hit of the day. Marcotte then reached on a fielder's choice after the FIU pitcher checked Swedberg at third and didn't throw to first in time.
With the bases loaded, Leone drew a walk to score a run before junior Lexie Black had a deep fly ball in foul territory that was caught and allowed Kurland to tag up at third and go home. Crouthamel's second RBI-single through the left side scored the third run of the frame to give the Nittany Lions a 7-0 lead.
FIU attempted to get some runs on the board in the top of the fifth with a lead-off single before Penn State turned a double play to clear the bases. An error and a walk put two runners on with two outs but the defense took care of business to maintain the shutout.
Kurland then called game in the bottom half of the frame with a three-run home run to right center to give the Nittany Lions the 10-0 run-rule victory.
Parshall finished with four strikeouts for her second complete-game shutout against the Panthers this weekend.
ON DECK
Penn State travels to the Atlanta, Ga. area for the third weekend of play in the I-75 Challenge, Feb. 25-27. The Nittany Lions will play doubleheaders at Georgia Tech (Friday) and Kennesaw State (Saturday) with a single game at Georgia State on Sunday.
GAME NOTES
- Senior Ally Kurland went 4-for-4 with four RBI in the game with a single, two doubles and the game-winning three-run home run. The four hits in the game marks a single-game best for the catcher/designated player, surpassing a previous best of three also done this weekend in the Panther Invitational.
- Senior pitcher Bailey Parshall threw her second consecutive complete-game shutout against FIU for her third shutout of the season.
- Parshall tied her single-season best with three complete-game shutouts to start 2022.
- Senior Lilia Crouthamel and junior Cassie Lindmark also had multi-hit games, their second and third of the season, respectively.
- Crouthamel and junior Michelle Leone had multi-RBI games, for their first and second of the season, respectively.