LEESBURG, Fla. – The Penn State softball team (0-4, 0-4 Big Ten) attempted a comeback bid in game one of the doubleheader against Purdue (2-2, 2-2 Big Ten), but ultimately fell to the Boilermakers twice Saturday evening at Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex.
Game 1: Purdue 6, Penn State 5
Penn State was so close to completing a comeback in the first game of the day, tying the game at 5-5 in the top of the sixth after entering the inning trailing by five runs.
Purdue took the early lead in the bottom of the third after an error gave the Boilermakers three free bases and then a hit plated the runner.
They added another run in the fourth on two hits before hitting a three-run home run in the fifth for the initial five-run advantage.
Penn State did not give up however, as sophomore Kaitlyn Morrison hit a lead-off single in the top of the sixth to get on base and then advanced all the way to third on a wild pitch and a throwing error.
Freshman Amanda Mack then came in to pinch hit and was able to draw a walk to put runners on the corners for the Nittany Lions.
Senior Kennedy Legg singled to center field to score Morrison and get Penn State on the board with two runners still on and no outs. Senior Dani Fey then drew a walk and loaded the bases before junior Lilia Crouthamel singled through the left side to plate two more runs.
Sophomore Michelle Leone then singled to load the bases once again before sophomore KT Rex was subbed in to pinch hit and came up big with a RBI-single to score Fey and Crouthamel and tie the game up.
The Boilermakers spoiled the comeback bid after taking advantage of two wild pitches and an error to move runners and score the winning run.
Junior pitcher Bailey Parshall had seven strikeouts in the outing.
Game 2: Purdue 3, Penn State 0
Penn State struggled a bit offensively in the second game, recording five hits but leaving all five stranded on base.
The Boilermakers struck first, scoring two runs on two hits and an error in the top of the fourth.
They added to their lead in the seventh with one run on two hits to make it 3-0.
The Nittany Lions once again looked to pull off a comeback with back-to-back hits in the bottom half of the inning from Rex and Fey but Purdue was able to find the next three outs for the win.
ON DECK
Penn State wraps up play in the first Big Ten Bubble weekend in Florida on Sunday. The Nittany Lions will face Northwestern in a doubleheader starting at 10 a.m.
GAME NOTES
- Freshman Liana Jones recorded her first collegiate hit in game two.
- Sophomore transfer Lexie Black made her Penn State debut, starting at first base in both games.
- Freshman Amanda Mack also made her collegiate debut as a pinch hitter, drawing a key walk in the sixth inning in the first game.