CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Penn State softball was competitive in their games against UConn and UNC Greensboro but one tough inning in each game proved to be the difference on day two of the Carolina Classic. The Lions fell to the Huskies, 7-1, in game one and dropped a 7-4 decision to the Spartans in game two. Ally Kurland stayed hot with three hits on the day, including two doubles and a home run.
Game 1: UConn 7, Penn State 1
Kylee Lingenfelter held UConn hitless for 4.1 innings, but the Huskies broke out their bats in the fifth inning and claimed a 7-1 win in the third game of the Carolina Classic. Senior Ally Kurland continued to have a hot bat, going 2-for-3 and scoring the Lions' only run.
It was a pitcher duel early on as Kylee Lingenfelter held the Huskies hitless for 4.1 innings. UConn registered three-straight singles to load the bases with one out, leading to Lingenfelter giving way to Bailey Parshall. Briana Marcelino got the Huskies on the board to plate a run and keep the bases loaded. Reese Guevarra then hit a bases-clearing double to right center to make it 4-0. Jana Sanden extended the UConn lead to six with a two-run home run with two outs in the frame.
Ally Kurland started the sixth inning with a double down the left field line. After a walk to Michelle Leone, Kurland advanced to third on a wild pitch and came around to score on an RBI single by Lexie Black to put the Lions on the board, but that was all Penn State could manage in the inning.
The Huskies added another run in the bottom of the frame on a sac fly to make it 7-1. Penn State wasn't able to cut into the lead in the top of the 7th and UConn recorded the win.
Game 2: UNC Greensboro 7, Penn State 5
Penn State jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the fourth inning and held the lead until the top of the seventh with UNC Greensboro had a five-run outburst to take a 7-4 lead. The Lions scored a run in the bottom of the seventh for the final margin. Cassie Lindmark and Liana Jones had two hits each in the loss.
In the bottom of the second, Lauren Marcotte doubled to centerfield to score Crouthamel, who walked, to put the Lions on the board first. Liana Jones followed with a single to score Marcotte. Jones stole second and advanced to third before scoring on a bunt single by Claire Swedberg. The inning came to a close when Swedberg was called for leaving early on a steal attempt.
The Spartans got on the board in the top of the third with a two-run homer to slice into Penn State's lead.
Kurland stayed hot and smacked her third home run in two days and sixth of the season in the third inning to extend Penn State's lead.
UNC Greensboro surged in the seventh inning with a solo home run and sacrifice fly to tie the game at 4-4 before a three-run homer Maycin Brown gave the Spartans their first lead of the game with one out in the seventh.
Liana Jones singled to open the seventh inning for the Lions. She advanced to third as Kaitlyn Morrison reached on an error by the shortstop. Jones came around to score on a Lindmark single to make it 7-5, but Penn State was unable to push across anymore runs.
Game Notes:
- Ally Kurland hit her sixth home run of the season and third in two days with a solo shot in the third inning against UNC Greensboro.
- Liana Jones had her first career multi-hit game with a pair of singles against the Spartans.
Up Next:
The Nittany Lions close out the Carolina Classic with a rematch against UNC Greensboro Saturday at 3 p.m.