UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State softball team (19-13, 1-2 Big Ten) plays host to the Purdue Boilermakers (18-16, 1-1 Big Ten) in a weekend series beginning Friday night at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. The remaining games of the series are slated for Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be broadcasted on B1G+ ($).
The Nittany Lions opened Big Ten play last weekend against Maryland, winning game one on a walk off home run in the tenth inning from Mel Coombs. The Nittany Lions last hosted Bucknell on Tuesday, defeating the Bison 5-1.
Series History
- This will be the 57th, 58th, and 59th all-time meeting between Penn State and Purdue. The teams have evenly split the all-time series, with both sides winning 28 games. The first matchup between them took place in 1995.
- Last year, Penn State and Purdue played a doubleheader on February 27 in Leesburg, Fla. The Nittany Lions dropped two closely contested contests against the Boilermakers.
Scouting the Boilermakers
- Purdue is 18-16 (1-1 Big Ten) entering the weekend. The Boilermakers are 7-3 in their last ten games, including a win 1-0 over No. 22 USF on March 17.
- Last time out, Purdue opened Big Ten play with a home series against Illinois. In game one, Alex Echazarreta tossed a complete game and allowed no runs until the top of the seventh in a 5-3 win. In game two, Purdue fell to Illinois 9-4 with Echazarreta recording a grand slam in the loss. Game three of the series was cancelled due to cold temperatures.
- Rachel Becker has been one of the best hitters in the Big Ten in 2022. Becker leads Purdue in batting average (.400), hits (40), and doubles (10). She is sixth in batting average, fourth in doubles, third in hits, and third in on-base percentage (.504) in the Big Ten.
- Alex Echazarreta is an extremely versatile two-way player for Purdue. Echazarreta is batting .333 with 27 hits and a .605 slugging percentage. She leads the team in home runs (5) and hits (21). In the circle, she has a team best 2.32 ERA and an 8-3 record with three shutouts through 66.1 innings pitched.
Last Time Out
- On Tuesday night, the Nittany Lions defeated in-state opponents Bucknell 5-1 at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field.
- Lilia Crouthamel's fourth inning grand slam was the difference in the win. It was the first grand slam and second home run of her career. She was the second Nittany Lion to hit a grand slam in 2022, joining Ally Kurland, who hit one in Penn State's March 4 victory over North Carolina.
- Kylee Lingenfelter, Vanessa Oatley, and Bailey Parshall all saw action in the circle for Penn State in the win. Oatley was credited with the victory, her second of the season. The Nittany Lion defense stranded nine Bucknell runners on base in the game.
- The Nittany Lions moved to 7-0 at home against non-conference at home in 2022.
Queen B
- Senior Bailey Parshall continues to be the standout leader on the Penn State pitching staff in 2022. Parshall leads the Nittany Lions with a 12-4 record and a 1.32 ERA in 116.1 innings pitched.
- Parshall's seven shutouts is the best mark in the Big Ten and the second best in Division I.
- Parshall was named Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week on March 21 after going 4-0 with two complete game shutouts. It was the second Big Ten weekly award of her career with her other honor coming in March 2020.
- The gem of Parshall's season is her perfect game against FIU Feb. 18. The perfect game was the fifth in program history and second to be a seven-inning perfect game. Parshall's perfect effort is the first for Penn State since Missy Beseres blanked St. Francis (Pa.) in five innings on March 30, 2005.
- This was also the 14th no-hitter in Penn State history and first since Ashley Esparza shutdown Illinois in a 13-0 win in five innings on April 5, 2008.
Home Sweet Home
- Penn State is 8-2 at home so far this season. That is the best ten-game stretch to start a season at home since 2007, when Penn State started 9-1 at home. It's the best ever start at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field.
- In that 2007 season, Penn State made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
- The Nittany Lions are a perfect 7-0 at home so far against non-conference opponents.
Double Trouble
- The Nittany Lions have hit a combined 47 doubles so far in 2022. That is the second-best mark in the Big Ten and 25th best in Division I.
- Aly Kurland's 13 doubles is the second-best mark in the Big Ten and third best in the whole country. Cassie Lindmark has 10 on the season, which is the fourth best in the Big Ten and 30th in Division I.
What's Next
- The Nittany Lions head back on the road for a doubleheader against Ohio State on Tuesday, April 5. Game one of the doubleheader will take place at 3 p.m. with the second game set for 5:30 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network.
- Penn State will then travel to Michigan to play a three-game series against the Wolverines next weekend.