UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State softball team (18-12, 1-1 Big Ten) opened Big Ten play Thursday against the Maryland Terrapins. After Thursday's game was suspended due to weather in the top of the sixth inning, the two teams played a doubleheader on Friday to finish game one before playing game two.
The teams split the two games, with Penn State winning game one in a ten-inning marathon 2-1. Mel Coombs' walk-off home run over the scoreboard was the difference. The Terps then took game two 8-3.
How It Happened
Game One
It was a pitching duel at Beard Field through the first five innings between Bailey Parshall and TrinSchlotterbeck. Neither team could get anything going offensively and after it started to rain in the top of the sixth, the game was suspended till Friday at 5 p.m.
After resuming play Friday evening, Lauren Marcotte drove home Mel Coombs with a single to right field giving the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead. Schlotterbeck answered in the top of the seventh for Maryland, doubling to tally the tying run, sending the game to extra innings.
The teams remained deadlocked all the way till the bottom of the tenth. It was then Mel Coombs that played hero for Penn State. The sophomore second basemen got her barrel on the ball and drove it over the scoreboard in left field, securing the 2-1 win for Penn State.
Game Two
In the top of the third, Maryland's Mackense Greico homered to dead center giving the Terps a 1-0 lead. Maryland went on to score seven of their eight runs in the sixth inning, extending their lead to 8-0.
Penn State made a solid rally attempt with an Ally Kurland homerun in the bottom of the sixth and two RBI doubles by Amanda Mack and Cassie Lindmark in the bottom of the seventh. The Nittany Lions couldn't recover, dropping the second matchup 8-3.
Game Notes
- Before the loss in game two, the Nittany Lions were on their longest winning streak since 2008, when the won eleven games from March 15 to March 26.
- Cassie Lindmark extended her on base streak to 14 games. It remains longest streak by a Nittany Lion this season.
- Bailey Parshall reached twelve wins this season, surpassing her career high wins in a single season.
- After struggling in the batter's box to start the season, Mel Coombs has seven RBI in her last six games.
On Deck
Due to expected cold temperatures, game three of the series will now take place at noon on Saturday, March 25. The game will be broadcasted on B1G+ ($).
Recap written in part by Strategic Communications Intern Tori Murphy