PISCATAWAY, N.J.- The Penn State softball team (27-17, 9-6 Big Ten) dropped the series finale to Rutgers (24-26, 2-15 Big Ten) 3-1 at the Rutgers Softball Complex in Piscataway on Sunday afternoon. Despite the loss, the Nittany Lions clinched a third Big Ten series victory on the season over the weekend in New Jersey.
Rutgers scored all its runs in the first two innings via two home runs. Penn State made a solid comeback effort in the top of the sixth, but couldn't overcome the deficit. Lauren Marcotte had Penn State's lone RBI in the game. Bailey Parshall entered the game in relief in the third inning, striking out five while allowing only two hits.
How It Happened
Cassie Lindmark started the game for Penn State in typical fashion, getting hit with a pitch for Penn State's first base runner. Kaitlyn Morrison followed suit, reaching base by an infield single to shortstop, but both runners were left stranded.
Rutgers started the scoring in the bottom of the first after a solo shot from Payton Lincavage to make it 1-0. The Scarlet Knights extended their lead in the bottom of the second after another home run to make it 3-0.
Bailey Parshall took the circle in the third inning for Penn State. Rutgers got runners to second and third but an off-speed pitch for Parshall made the batter look silly for out number three in the inning.
The Nittany Lions did a good job putting the ball in play, but the wind played a massive factor as some long fly balls got caught up in the wind, resulting in a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth. Parshall responded for Penn State, striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom half of the fourth.
Lexie Black reached base via a walk in the fifth, but Penn State couldn't do anything else. Parshall responded in a big way, striking out two and stranding a runner on third to keep it a 3-0 game.
Lindmark and Michelle Leone both singled to get two base runners on in the top of the sixth. A sac fly from Morrsion and some clever base running from Lydia Coleman put two runners in scoring position. Lauren Marcotte showed her speed, running out an infield single to score Maddie Gordon and make it 3-1. Maggie Finnegan then drove a ball to deep right field, but the wind kept the ball in play again for out number three.
The Nittany Lions attempted a comeback effort, but couldn't get the hits when they needed, and ultimately fell in the game 3-1.
Game Notes
- Lauren Marcotte finished the weekend batting .571 with four hits and an RBI. She is now on a three-game hitting streak.
- Lexie Black extended her on-base streak to three games.
- Despite the loss, the Nittany Lions secured their third Big Ten series victory of the season.
What's Next
The Nittany Lions continue their road trip with a visit to Ohio State on Tuesday for a doubleheader. Game one of the doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. with both games streaming on B1G+ ($).