Penn State softball (5-22) could not pull out a series win against Maryland (14-18) in College Park this weekend. The Nittany Lions dropped three of four contests.

Vanessa Oatley was the most consistent pitcher in the circle, while Kennedy Legg led the offense with some great firepower. The Nittany Lions’ only win of the series came in a defensive battle Saturday afternoon.

Game One

The first game of the Friday doubleheader was a nail-biter for the Nittany Lions, but they fell to the Terrapins 1-0.

Bailey Parshall stepped into the circle for the start, pitching six innings and striking out six. Unfortunately for her, the defense was not on her side. Maggie Finnegan committed two errors over the course of the game, and the only run scored came off of a Michelle Leone error.

Even though it didn’t score any runs, the offense had a relatively decent performance at the plate. Ally Kurland led the team with two hits, and both Kurland and Kennedy Legg were able to hit doubles. Claire Swedberg was also able to get on base with a hit of her own.

Game Two

Game two of the Friday doubleheader was much worse for Penn State. The team got mercy-ruled in five innings, losing 11-1.

At first glance, the offense felt like it could get on a roll. Swedberg drew a walk, and then Legg hit an RBI double. Unfortunately, that was the only hit the Nittany Lions would get during the game. The Terps would pile on six runs in the first, and then add five more throughout the rest of the game.

Kylee Lingenfelter got the start, and she did not stay in the game very long. She couldn’t get out of the first inning, with Logan Black coming in relief. She pitched 4.1 innings, giving up five runs on five hits and striking out two.

Game Three

The Saturday game had a much better result than the Friday contests for Penn State, as the Nittany Lions grabbed a 1-0 win over the Terps.

Vanessa Oatley got the start, pitching four innings and giving up three hits. Parshall came in relief for the rest of the game and allowed zero hits. Oatley got the win, while Parshall got the save.

The only source of offense for the Nittany Lions came in the fourth inning. Kurland got on base with a single, and then was pinch ran for by Kailee Smith. Chelsea Bisi then drove Smith home, which ended up being the winning run.

Game Four

The Nittany Lions had enough offense to try and get a win, but ultimately could not hold on as the Terrapins walked it off, and Penn State fell 5-4.

Legg got the game started with a solo home run, continuing her hot streak that began earlier in the weekend. Kurland also stayed red hot, hitting a two-out two RBI double. Kaitlyn Morrison was able to add an insurance run on a bloop single.

Oatley got the start again, and she kept rolling from her previous start. She ended up going five innings, and only gave up one run. Parshall entered the circle again in relief, this time pitching two innings but gave up three runs and took the loss.

Takeaways

• Vanessa Oatley has turned into a big bright spot for the pitching staff this season. While she showed flashes last season, she has truly developed into one of the more consistent pitchers on staff. If she continues to develop, she and Bailey Parshall would make a great 1-2 punch.
• Penn State simply should have won that last game of the series. The Nittany Lions had a strong performance, but dropped the ball in that last inning. One has to wonder, however, if the overuse of Parshall took its toll and lost it the game.

What’s Next

The Nittany Lions will travel back home to take on Michigan starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 30.