Softball Splits Double Header Against Delaware to Wrap Up Spring Break Trip
Lindmark and Kurland both record homeruns while Lindmark went 4-6 on the day.
NEWARK, DE. – The Penn State softball team wrapped up their spring break trip at Delaware University to play a double header against the Blue Hens on Friday afternoon. Both games were determined on a big hit, game one in favor of the Nittany Lions, 1-0, and the second in favor of the Blue Hens, 4-6.
Game 1: Penn State 1, Delaware 0
Bailey Parshall recorded her fifth shutout of the season in the first game against the Blue Hens while keeping them to only three hits. Offense started slow for both teams before a homerun from Cassie Lindmark in the fourth allowed the Nittany Lions to secure the win.
The Penn State defense held steady all games with some show out performances including one from Michelle Leone who played as a vacuum at third base taking two of the three outs in the bottom of the second inning.
Liana Jones then represented the left side resiliency with a diving play a few feet off of the left field line to secure the second out of the third inning. The Blue Hens rallied with two outs and loaded the bases after a single and walk but a pop fly to Jones took the pressure away to head into the top of the fourth.
After a scoreless game so far, Cassie Lindmark begun the fourth inning by taking her first pitch deep over the left center field fence to put the Nittany Lions on the board. Lexie Black followed suit with a double but was left stranded. Delaware threatened with putting a runner in scoring position but were unable to capitalize to end the fourth and put the Nittany Lions back in the box.
Jones reached with a two out single to left field in the top of the fifth but nothing else from the Nittany Lions to send them back on defense where Parshall retired all three in order.
Top of the 6th, Lindmark, Kurland, and Leone were all able to get a good piece of the ball, but nothing was able to drop for the Nittany Lions. Defense only allowed one Blue Hen to find a bag after shutting the rest down.
The Nittany Lions last chance to score some insurance runs was led by Lilia Crouthamel who drew a walk and stole second. A ground ball from Lauren Marcotte allowed Crouthamel to come into third standing up but she was stranded with no opportunity to gain the last 60 feet.
Penn State wrapped up on defense with a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the 7th earning their 10th win of the season.
Game 2: Delaware 6, Penn State 4
Kylee Lingenfeler got the start in the circle for the Nittany Lions for game two of the double header. Game two brought plenty of offense action. Strong efforts from the Nittany Lions were not enough to eliminate the Blue Hens' lead in order to secure the second win on the day.
Ally Kurland begun game two right where Lindmark left off in game one. Kurland went deep over the center field wall to set the score 1-0 over Delaware early but no other offensive action followed. Delaware answered quickly in the bottom of the first with a strong string of hits to tie it up at 1-1.
Top of the second did not have as much excitement as the first as none of the Nittany Lions were able to cross home plate. Delaware kept their hitting momentum going in the bottom of the second by loading the bases with a double and two singles. Lingenfelter was able to strike out two of the Blue Hens during it all, but the score reaches 1-4 in favor of Delaware.
Coach Clarissa Crowell then made a pitching change to enter Lydia Spalding into the circle with two outs and a runner on second. Delaware adds another run to the board after a double, but Spalding answers with a strikeout to end the inning. 1-5, Delaware.
Mel Coombs led off in the top of the third by drawing a walk to get speed on base. Lindmark then triples to score Coombs to push the score to 2-5. With one out, Lexie Black steps into the box. On a fielder's choice play Black reaches first but in cost of Lindmark being called out at home. A ground ball from Michelle Leone wraps up the inning.
The hits continued for Delaware in the bottom of the third followed by a bunt, a ground ball out, and a steal put runners on second and third. Spalding then shut down the next two Blue Hens putting a pause on their scoring streak.
The Penn State lineup saw some life in the top of the fourth with a backside double from Lilia Crouthamel followed by a single from Kaitlyn Morrison to push her to third but were both stranded to end the inning. The bottom of the fourth Delaware loaded the bases with two walks and a hit by pitch with two outs. Lydia Spalding kept calm and fed second basemen, Mel Coombs, an easy ground ball to wrap up the fourth.
Cassie Lindmark led off the fifth with a double that hit the fence and Ally Kurland follow by drawing a walk. Shelli Rivard relived Lindmark on the bases while Lydia Coleman did the same for Ally Kurland. A sac fly from Lexie Black allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Penn State attempted a squeeze from Emily Maddock, but Delaware made a perfectly executed play to get two outs and stop the run from scoring. Penn State responded with a 1-2-3 inning on defense.
In the top of the sixth Kaitlyn Morrison drew a walk and Mel Coombs pushed her to second while reaching first herself on a Delaware error. Heavy hitting Lindmark came to the plate an drove both of them in to reduce Delaware's lead by one at 4-5.
Bottom of the 6th, Delaware goes deep to push the lead to 4-6. With runners on, Penn State enters Bailey Parshall to shut down the last two hitters of the inning.
The Nittany Lions fought in the top of the 7th with Liana Jones finding a way to the base path with two outs but were unable to keep the momentum going.
Game notes:
- Cassie Lindmark went 4-6 on the day while flexing a .409 batting average and recording her third homerun of the season.
- Bailey Parshall recorded her fifth shutout while only allowing three hits on the day.
- Ally Kurland recorded her team leading 7th homerun.
Up Next:
The Nittany Lions will return to Pennsylvania, travel to Pittsburgh, and take on the Pittsburgh Panthers on Wednesday, March 16th at 5 p.m.
--NITTANY LIONS—