Ann Arbor, Mich.- The Penn State softball team (23-15, 5-4 Big Ten) upset No. 22 Michigan (23-12, 4-5) 3-2 at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor on Sunday afternoon.
It was the first time since 2007 the Nittany Lions defeated Michigan and the first time since 2005 Penn State did it at Alumni Field. Cassie Lindmark and Ally Kurland both hit home runs in the win. Senior Bailey Parshall earned the win in relief.
How It Happened
Cassie Lindmark started the game getting hit by a pitch for the 14th time in 2022. Lexie Black then reached base via a walk, but Penn State couldn't advance them. Kylee Lingenfelter started the game strong, putting Michigan down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first.
Michigan got on the board in the bottom of the second. Mel Coombs made a circus catch in right field, but the runner scored from second after the sac fly followed by a throwing error to make it 1-0.
In the next half inning, Ally Kurland stepped up to the plate and tattooed a ball into the right field bleachers to make it 2-1 Penn State. Annabelle Widra responded in the bottom half of the inning with a solo shot of her own, making it a 2-2 game.
In the top of the fourth, Lauren Marcotte reached base on a walk and advanced on a sac bunt from Maggie Finnegan, but Penn State couldn't capitalize. Vanessa Oatley entered the game for Penn State in the bottom half of the inning and put the Wolverines down with ease.
Lilia Crouthamel reached base on a walk followed by a single by Lindmark to start the fifth, but Penn State couldn't advance them any further. Audrey LeClair then reached base on a single for Michigan, but Oatley put down three straight batters to keep the score 2-2 after five.
Bailey Parshall entered the game in the circle for Penn State in the bottom of the sixth. Michigan got runners on the corners, but a massive out from Parshall kept Michigan off the board, keeping the game tied at 2-2 entering the seventh.
Entering the top of the seventh, the first two Nittany Lions batters got out. Then with two outs, Cassie Lindmark lofted a ball over the right center field fence, giving Penn State the late 3-2 lead. Parshall shut down the Wolverine offense in the bottom half of the inning to secure the 3-2 upset victory.
Game Notes
- It was the first win for Penn State over Michigan since 2007. The Nittany Lions last beat the Wolverines in Big Ten play in 2006.
- The last time the Nittany Lions beat a ranked team on the road was 2/10/17 (No. 4 LSU).
- Cassie Lindmark reached base in her final seven at bats in the series. It was her 12th multi-hit game of the season.
- Ally Kurland hit her team leading 14th home run of the season. It was Kurland's eighth multi-RBI game of the season.
- Lexie Black reached base for the third straight game.
On Deck
The Nittany Lions return home to host Indiana next weekend. Game one of the series will be Friday, April 15 at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on B1G+ ($).