Softball Falls to Georgia Tech and BU on Saturday
The Nittany Lions Lost 7-6 to Georgia Tech on a walk-off home run, followed by a 4-0 setback to Boston University
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Penn State Softball dropped both games on Saturday at the Queen City Classic to Georgia Tech (7-6) and Boston University (4-0).
In the first contest against Georgia Tech, Penn State rallied from four runs down to tie the game, but ultimately fell on a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
In game one, Kaitlyn Morrison went 2-3 with a three-run home run and an RBI single to bring the Nittany Lions back from a 6-2 deficit to tie the game against Georgia Tech. Lexie Black went 2-2 in the second game against the Terriers with a double.
Game 1: Georgia Tech 7, Penn State 6
Penn State picked up where it left off the night before when Maggie Finnegan singled to begin the game. Later, Liana Jones roped a double into the left center field gap and brought the charging Finnegan home from first.
The Yellow Jackets responded in the bottom of the second hitting back-to-back doubles and tying the ball game at one.
Kylee Lingenfelter entered the game in relief of starter Vanessa Oatley with two outs, but couldn't work the Nittany Lions out of the bases loaded jam. Two-straight batters were walked and the Yellow Jackets were able to manage an infield single to add two more runs and take a 3-1 lead over the Nittany Lions.
Penn State responded in the fourth inning when Morrison singled through the left side and brought in Maddie Gordon, who was pinch-running for Cassie Lindmark.
Paige Maynard entered the circle in the top of the fourth inning but the Yellow Jackets kept the pressure on. Grace Connelly tripled off the center field wall, then scored on a single. Reese Hunter then hit a two-run home run and the Yellow Jackets extended their advantage to four.
Lydia Spalding then entered the game for the Nittany Lions with two out in the fourth and worked Penn State out of the inning.
Penn State made their stand in the top of the sixth inning when Liana Jones led off with a solo home run that cleared the left field foul pole to cut the Yellow Jackets lead to three.
Lexie Black followed her with a walk and Cassie Lindmark singled bringing up Morrison. She delivered with a three-run home run to tie the game at six for the Nittany Lions.
Bailey Parshall entered the circle in the bottom of the sixth inning and set the Yellow Jackets down in order giving the Nittany Lions a chance to take the lead in the seventh.
Lydia Coleman beat out a groundball to the shortstop, and Cassie Lindmark walked, but the Nittany Lions couldn't bring anyone home.
Georgia Tech's Beth Allen homered off Parshall to win the game for the Yellow Jackets in the bottom of the seventh.
Game 2:
The Terriers jumped out to an early lead when Caitlin Coker singled up the middle and brought Lauren Keleher around third to score. Coker scored on an overthrow and BU started with the early 2-0 advantage.
Parshall settled into the game in the second and kept the Terriers quite until the sixth inning.
The Nittany Lions struggled to get anything going on the offensive end. Black doubled in the fourth inning and Jones reached scoring position in the sixth after walking and swiping a bag, but the Nittany Lions couldn't bring them around.
In the sixth inning, the Terriers struck again when Coker tripled bringing home a runner from first base. Coker scored when Emily Gant hit a sacrifice fly to left field.
The Nittany Lions were unable to respond as the Terriers defeated the Nittany Lions, 4-0.
NEXT UP
The Nittany Lions will finish the Queen City Classic tomorrow against Boston University at 9 a.m. before they travel to Hampton, Va. next weekend for the Pirate Spartan Classic.
--Penn State--