CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Penn State softball closed out the Carolina Classic with an 8-4 loss to UNC Greensboro Sunday. The Lions (9-9) were led by Lexie Black's three-run home run and a two-hit performance by Mel Coombs.
The Spartans struck first with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. However, the Lions charged back in the bottom half of the frame as Cassie Lindmark singled and Ally Kurland walked to open the inning. After a fielder's choice during Michelle Leone's at bat got Lindmark out at third, Black ripped a bomb to centerfield to give Penn State a 3-2 lead. Lauren Marcotte walked with two outs and Lilia Crouthamel followed with a single, but were stranded.
In the top of the second, UNC Greensboro loaded the bases with a walk and two hit by pitches before Makenna Matthijs connected on her second home run of the day to push the Spartans in front, 6-3.
Delaney Cumbie extended the Spartan lead with a solo shot in the top of the fourth.
Leone singled with one out in the fifth inning and advanced to second on fly ball by Black. Leone then came around to score on a single to center by Kaitlyn Morrison, who was making her first start of the season, to close the gap to three at 7-4.
Lydia Spaulding entered the circle in the fifth inning and promptly shutdown UNCG, retiring the first eight batters she faced until yielding a single and double back-to-back to allow the Spartans to score an eighth run in the top of the seventh inning.
Game Notes:
- Lexie Black hit her third three-run homer run of the season in the bottom of the first inning to give Penn State a 3-2 lead.
- Lydia Spaulding entered the game in the top of the fifth and retired the first eight batters she faced before giving up a single in the bottom of the seventh.
- Mel Coombs had her second multi-hit game of the season and fifth of her career. Her first multi-hit game of 2022 came against Georgia Tech last weekend.
Up Next:
The Nittany Lions continue their spring break trip with a game at No. 13 Duke Tuesday at 5 p.m.