UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.- The Penn State softball team (29-20, 11-9 Big Ten) took game two of a doubleheader in dramatic walk-off fashion 4-3 over Wisconsin (27-13, 12-6 Big Ten) in front of a sold-out crowd at Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday was Senior Day presented by the Penn State Alumni Association, where the Nittany Lions honored seniors Shelli Rivard, Claire Swedberg, Kylee Lingenfelter, Lilia Crouthamel, Ally Kurland, and Bailey Parshall.
Fittingly enough, Rivard hit the first home run of her college career in a pinch-hit appearance in game one of the doubleheader. The Nittany Lions dropped the first contest of the day 8-1.
In game two, Lexie Black hit the walk-off double to secure the 4-3 win. Seniors Ally Kurland and Rivard scored the game winning runs on the final play. Bailey Parshall earned the victory for Penn State in game three.
How It Happened
Game One
Wisconsin opened the scoring in the top of the first after a solo home run from Fiona Girardot. Liana Jones was Penn State's first base runner in the bottom half of the inning after a hit-by-pitch, but Penn State couldn't advance her.
The Badgers extended their lead in the second inning to make it a 5-0 game. Cassie Lindmark threw out her second runner of the weekend for out number three of the inning. The Badgers added another run in the top of the third to make it 6-0.
Lexie Black got the Nittany Lions' first hit of the day with a single into left field. She advanced to second but was left stranded. Wisconsin made it 8-0 in the top of the fourth.
The Nittany Lions opted to use three pinch hitters in the bottom of the fifth. Senior Shelli Rivard stepped up to the plate, and in only her third plate appearance her career, rocketed a ball over the centerfield fence for the first home run of her college career.
That was all the Nittany Lions could produce on offense, as Penn State fell 8-1 in game one.
Game Two
Bailey Parshall started game two strong for Penn State, striking out two in the top of the first. Lilia Crouthamel also made a great catch in centerfield for the second out in the inning. Ally Kurland reached base on a walk in the bottom of the first, but that's all Penn State could produce.
Wisconsin got the game's first hit in the top of the second and had runners on second and third, but Parshall struck out a Badger to leave two in scoring position. Lauren Marcotte reached on an error in the bottom half of the inning, but that was all Penn State could put together.
Wisconsin opened the scoring in the top of the third on a controversial RBI double down the left field to make it 1-0. Penn State went down 1-2-3 in the bottom half of the inning.
Parshall added two more strikeouts to her total on the day in the top of the fourth. Ally Kurland opened the bottom of the inning with a single to right field, followed by a double by Jones to put runners on second and third. Marcotte then ripped a ball to shortstop, driving home Kurland to tie the game. Kaitlyn Morrison then laid down a perfect sac bunt to drive Jones home and give Penn State the 2-1 lead after four.
The Badgers threatened in the top of the fifth, getting runners to second and third with two outs. Lilia Crouthamel made a spectacular catch in centerfield, jumping up against the wall for the third out in the inning.
Crouthamel then turned defense into offense, hitting a single straight up the middle to kick off the bottom of the fifth. Lindmark was then hit by a pitch to put two runners on with one out, but the runners were left stranded.
Wisconsin loaded the bases in the top of the sixth and a two RBI single gave the Badgers a 3-2 lead. Morrison ripped a single up the middle to give Penn State a base runner with two outs in the bottom of the inning, but she was left on first.
Wisconsin threatened in the top of the seventh to extend the lead. Crouthamel made another ridiculous defensive play, throwing out a runner at home to keep the score 3-2 Wisconsin. The Badgers then loaded the bases, but Parshall worked her way out of trouble to allow no runs in the inning and strand three runners on base.
The first two Nittany Lions went down in the bottom of the seventh. Lindmark then reached base on an error from the third basemen and was replaced by Shelli Rivard as a pinch runner. Ally Kurland then stepped up to the plate and was walked.
It was then Lexie Black that played hero. Black sent a ball down the left field line and into the corner, which allowed the seniors Rivard and Kurland to score the game winning runs. In almost storybook fashion, the Nittany Lions walked it off on Senior Day 4-3.
Game Notes
- Shelli Rivard's home run was the first of her college career. It was also her first hit and only her third ever plate appearance in three years of college softball.
- Lexie Black's walk off was the first of her college career.
- Bailey Parshall pitched her 18th complete game of the season in game two.
- Parshall's 585 career strikeouts are only eight behind Ashley Esparza for fourth all-time in career strikeouts in program history.
What's Next
The Nittany Lions conclude the regular season with a trip to Illinois next weekend. Game one of the series is set for Friday, May 6, at 5 p.m. The game will be streamed on B1G+ ($).