UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State softball team (19-13, 1-2 Big Ten) defeated the Bucknell Bison (4-23, 1-2 PL) 5-1 at the Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field on Tuesday night.
Lilia Crouthamel hit the first grand slam of her career and Penn State's second of the season. Kaitlyn Morrison went 1-2 at the plate with one RBI. Vanessa Oatley secured her second win of the season while Madison Roukey took the loss for Bucknell.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Kylee Lingenfelter started off the game strong on the mound, blanking the Bison through three. Oatley entered the game at the top of the fourth, replacing Lingenfelter, and continued Penn State's solid defensive play in the field.
The Nittany Lions earned the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning after a slow start for both teams. Lexi Black loaded the bases on a hit and an error by the left fielder. Stepping up to the plate, Kaitlyn Morrison sent one out to right field, bringing in Shelli Rivard for Penn State's first run of the game.
Continuing the offensive show in the fourth inning, Crouthamel tattooed a ball over the center field fence for her second home run of her college career and first grand slam. Penn State led 5-0 after four.
The Bison collected their first run of the game on a single in the top of the fifth. Oatley flashed the leather and snagged a line drive to end the inning, keeping the score 5-1.
Bailey Parshall finished out the game on the mound, holding Bucknell to just one run on the night. The senior pitcher struck out a batter with bases loaded to move the game into the bottom of the sixth and keep the Bison from earning another run. Bucknell ended the night leaving nine runners left on base.
The Nittany Lions closed out the top of the seventh on a backhand snag by shortstop Lauren Marcotte, who gunned a ball over to Lexie Black at first to finish the Bison off.
GAME NOTES
- Lilia Crouthamel's grand slam was the first of her career and her second home run ever. She joins Ally Kurland, who hit a grand slam in the win over North Carolina on March 4, as the only Nittany Lions to hit a grand slam this season.
- Crouthamel's four RBI were the most she's had in a game this season. It was her third multi-RBI game in 2022.
- With two hits in the game, Ally Kurland recorded her eighth multi-hit game of the season.
- Lauren Marcotte reached base for the eighth straight game. Her longest streak this season is nine games.
- The Nittany Lions are a perfect 7-0 at home against non-conference opposition in 2022. Penn State also moved to 4-0 against in-state opponents this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Nittany Lions continue their homestand with a three-game series against Big Ten foe Purdue. Game one will take place at the Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field on Friday, April 1 at 6:00 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on B1G+ ($).
Recap written in part by student sport contact Brynn Smith