COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Penn State softball team (28-18, 10-7 Big Ten) split a doubleheader against Ohio State (29-13, 9-8) at Buckeye Field in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday afternoon. The teams finally faced off Tuesday after the doubleheader was postponed twice earlier in the month.
Both games ended with a score of 4-2, with Ohio State winning the first one and the Nittany Lions taking the second one. Liana Jones and Lauren Marcotte both had an RBI in the game one loss.
In game two, the Nittany Lions scored four runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead and ultimately win the game. Cassie Lindmark and Ally Kurland both had two hits in the game. Kaitlyn Morrison's two-RBI double proved to be the vital hit as the Nittany Lions won their tenth Big Ten game of the season. Bailey Parshall earned the win for Penn State.
How It Happened
Game One
Ohio State started the scoring in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs on three hits.
Maggie Finnegan earned Penn State's first base runner of the game in the top of the second, roping a double in the right centerfield gap. Liana Jones then followed suit, hitting a single to drive Finnegan home to make it a 2-1. The Buckeyes got a base runner in the bottom half on the inning, but Lilia Crouthamel made a diving catch in centerfield for out number three.
The Buckeyes extended their lead in the bottom of the third inning to make it 3-1 after a single to left field.
Michelle Leone started the fourth, singling down the right field line, buts that's all the Nittany Lions could muster. Vanessa Oatley entered the game in the circle for Penn State in the bottom of the inning and stranded a Buckeye runner on third.
Lexie Black got on base to start the fifth via a walk, but that's all Penn State could get going. Ohio State added another run in bottom half of the inning to make it a 4-1 game.
Leone reached base again to start the sixth with a walk. Lauren Marcotte then doubled in the left centerfield gap, driving home Leone to make it a 4-2 game. The Nittany Lions responded with a 1-2-3 inning entering the final frame.
The Nittany Lions couldn't close the gap in the top of the seventh, dropping game one 4-2.
Game Two
Cassie Lindmark led off game two with a single followed by a double from Ally Kurland to put two runners in scoring position. Despite having two runners in scoring position, the Buckeyes escaped trouble and left Lindmark and Kurland stranded.
Bailey Parshall started the game for Penn State. Ohio State loaded the bases after a hit, hit by pitch, and error. Parshall threw a nasty off speed pitch and made the batter look silly for out number three.
Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the second inning. Lindmark got on base in the top of the third via a walk, but that's all Penn State produced. Ohio State opened the scoring in the bottom half of the inning after a solo shot to left field.
The Buckeyes added another run in the bottom of the fourth after another solo home run. Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the fifth inning. Finnegan made a great catch in right field to end the fifth inning.
Lindmark started the sixth with her second hit of the game, a double to right field. Kurland then stepped up to the plate and drove the pinch runner Shelli Rivard home to make it 2-1. A sac fly from Marcotte then drove the pinch runner Lydia Coleman home to tie the game at 2-2.
Finnegan and Jones reached base with a single then a hit by pitch. Kaitlyn Morrison then stepped up to the plate and lined a ball into right centerfield, scoring both base runners. A four-run sixth inning had Penn State up 4-2. Ohio State got a hit in the bottom half of the inning, but the Penn State defense allowed no more.
The Nittany Lions went down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh, giving Ohio State one more chance to tie it up. The Buckeyes got a baserunner, but the Nittany Lions turned two to end the game and secure the 4-2 win.
Game Notes
- Ally Kurland hit her 16th double of the season in game two. She's now in sole possession for 4th place in program history for doubles hit in a single season. She also registered her 12th multi-hit game of the season.
- Cassie Lindmark registered her 15th multi-hit game of the season in game two.
- Kaitlyn Morrison had her first multi-RBI game of the season in game two.
- Bailey Parshall pitched her 16thcomplete game of the season in game two.
- Lexie Black has reached base in five straight games.
On Deck
The Nittany Lions return home for a weekend series against the Wisconsin Badgers. Game one of that series is set for 6 p.m. on Friday with the game streaming on B1G+ ($).