UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State Softball team (23-12, 4-2 Big Ten) overwhelmed Purdue (18-19, 1-4 Big Ten) with another impressive offensive display in a 11-3 run-rule victory on Sunday afternoon in Happy Valley. The Nittany Lions scored eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to secure the win.
Cassie Lindmark led the Nittany Lions in the win with three RBI and a home run. Her and Ally Kurland hit back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches in the third inning. Vanessa Oatley earned her third win of the season in the circle. Penn State's 11 runs came on only six hits.
How It Happened
The Boilermakers got on the board first via a two-run homer that went over the left field fence. Bailey Parshall quickly recovered and collected all three outs in the first inning, striking out two and nabbing a line drive.
Penn State got their offense started in the bottom of the third when Cassie Lindmark hit a bomb over the centerfield fence, bringing in Maggie Finnegan to tie up the game. On the very next pitch, Ally Kurland hit a solo homer of her own to take the 3-2 lead for the Nittany Lions.
The Boilermakers responded in the next half inning, notching the tying run via a sacrifice fly from Jade Moy. Vanessa Oatley jumped into the circle for the top of the fifth and Purdue was able to load the bases. Oatley and the Penn State defense did a great job to get out of trouble, leaving all three runners stranded while allowing zero runs.
In the bottom of the fifth, Penn State broke open the game. Lauren Marcotte capitalized on an error made earlier in the inning and drove in a run to take the 4-3 lead for Penn State. With the bases loaded, Michelle Leone smacked a ball over the right fielder's head to bring in two more runs, making it 6-3.
Liana Jones tallied a double and an RBI to keep the momentum going in favor of Penn State. With bases loaded yet again, Lydia Coleman scored on a wild pitch, lifting Penn State's lead to 8-3. Amanda Mack was then hit by a pitch, driving in Jones. Lindmark added another run through a sacrifice fly.
Kurland was intentionally walked, leaving Marcotte to play hero. She ripped a ball right up the middle, scoring Lilia Crouthamel, and securing the 11-3 run-rule victory in five innings.
Game Notes
- Sunday's victory secured Penn State's first Big Ten series sweep since 2016, when they swept Maryland on April 15-17.
- Cassie Lindmark recorded her eighth multi-RBI game in the win. It's the third time she's had three or more RBI in a game this season.
- In the series against Purdue, Ally Kurland batted .556 with three home runs and eight RBI.
- Lauren Marcotte extended her on-base streak to 11 games. It's her longest streak of the season and second longest by a Nittany Lion.
On Deck
The Nittany Lions head back on the road, this time to Columbus for a doubleheader with Ohio State on Tuesday. Game one is set for 3 p.m. with game two scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State will then travel to Michigan on Friday for a three-game weekend series.