Penn State softball (0-2) had a rough start to the 2018 season with a pair of losses on Friday at the Sand Dollar Classic before the rest of its weekend slate was canceled due to inclement weather. No. 11 Alabama run ruled Penn State after five innings, then Virginia Tech used a strong fifth inning to power past the Nittany Lions, 3-1.

How It Happened

Pitcher Jessica Cummings got the start in the circle and held off the Crimson Tide through the first two innings, but the SEC powers chased the senior from the game in the third inning with a five-run onslaught. Junior pitcher Madison Shaffer got out of the inning, conceding just another run. The Tide bats continued to roll, putting up another four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and Alabama’s freshman pitcher Madison Preston gave up just one hit on the day to close out a 10-0 victory.

Cummings also started the second game just a few hours later against Virginia Tech , having another strong showing to open the game — giving up just two hits through four innings of play. Penn State rallied in the bottom of the fourth to put a run on the board. With runners on first and second, Sophomore third baseman Destiny Weber singled to advance the runners, and a throwing error allowed a run to score. Penn State’s lead was short lived as the Hokies scored three runs off four hits in the top of the fifth to take it 3-1.

The Nittany Lions had games scheduled against No. 14 Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, and Lipscomb on Saturday and Sunday, but inclement weather in Gulf Shores, AL washed out those final three games.

What’s Next

Penn State heads to Durham, NC for the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Nittany Lions will play a total of four games — getting a rematch with Virginia Tech and battling first-year program Duke.