UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State softball team (22-14, 4-4 Big Ten) dropped a closely contested game against No. 22 Michigan (23-11, 4-4 Big Ten) 2-1 on Saturday in Ann Arbor.
The Nittany Lions showed grit all game, tying it up in the fifth inning from a home run by Cassie Lindmark. The Nittany Lion pitching staff did a great job in the circle, stranding 11 Wolverines on base. A walk-off RBI single from Taylor Bump was the difference in the game.
How It Happened
The Nittany Lions started the game strong at the plate. Penn State was able to load the bases in the top of the first with only one out, promoting a pitching change for Michigan only five batters into the order. Michigan was able to escape without any damage, allowing no runs in the inning. The Wolverines then threatened, getting two base runners of their own, but Kylee Lingenfelter escaped trouble to end the first 0-0.
Both teams were in a defensive duel to start the game. Lingenfelter went two innings before Vanessa Oatley entered the game for Penn State.
Michigan was the first team to get on the board in the game, after a Taylor Bump RBI double in the bottom of the third, making it a 1-0 game. The Wolverines were able to load the bases in that inning, but a big strikeout from Oatley kept it 1-0.
Bailey Parshall took the mound in the fourth inning for the Nittany Lions. Michigan was able to get two base runners in scoring position, but Parshall stranded the runners. It was the third time in four innings Michigan left two runners on base.
Cassie Lindmark opened the scoring for Penn State in the top of the fifth. The junior rocketed a ball over the left center field fence to tie the game at 1-1. In the bottom half of the inning, Michigan left two runners on base for the fourth time in the game.
Leone got her second hit of the game in the top of the sixth and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Alex Storako entered the game for Michigan and kept Penn State off the board. Parshall then put the Wolverines down in six pitches to end the sixth inning.
Mel Coombs started the seventh getting on base through a bunt, followed by Lindmark, who reached base on yet another hit-by-pitch. Penn State was unable to capitalize. Michigan's Taylor Bump then won the game in the bottom half of the inning via an RBI single.
Game Notes
- Cassie Lindmark recorded her sixth home run of the season. She is third on the team in home runs.
- Lindmark also reached base in all of her at bats in the game, including two hits-by-pitches. She's been hit 13 times this season, which is more than the number of strikeouts she has (10).
- Michelle Leone reached base for the fourth straight game. She is also on a three-game hitting streak.
- Leone also recorded her sixth multi-hit game of the season.
- The Nittany Lion pitching staff and defense left 11 Michigan runners on base in the game.
On Deck
Penn State and Michigan conclude the weekend series tomorrow at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on B1G+ ($).