UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State softball team (22-14, 4-3 Big Ten) dropped the first game of their weekend series against No. 22 Michigan (22-11, 3-4) 8-0 on Friday evening.
Bailey Parshall started the game for Penn State, only allowing two hits while striking out four. Lilia Crouthamel shined on defense again for Penn State, making two amazing catches in center field.
How It Happened
Cassie Lindmark started the game strong behind the plate for Penn State, gunning out Kristina Burkhardt out at second while trying to steal to end the first. The Nittany Lions were then able to get two runners on in the top of the second after a Lexie Black single and Liana Jones hit-by-pitch, but Penn State couldn't advance the runners.
The game quickly became a pitching duel between Alex Storako of Michigan and Bailey Parshall. The two pitchers kept matching each other, with only one hit combined between the two teams after three innings.
Michigan didn't record a hit till the bottom of the fourth inning after a single from Burkhardt. Two batters later, Lilia Crouthamel made a leaping catch in center field, robbing Hannah Carson of an extra base hit. Michigan would get on the board in the fourth though, after Taylor Bump's three-run home run.
Michigan tacked on the final five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to secure the 8-0 run-rule win.
Game Notes
- Michelle Leone and Maggie Finnegan both extended their on-base streaks to four games. It's the longest streak of the season for Finnegan.
On Deck
The Nittany Lions and Wolverines meet in game two of the series tomorrow in Ann Arbor. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and the game will be streamed on B1G+ ($).