Penn State softball (25-16, Big Ten 7-5) played another home series against Indiana (23-12, Big Ten 6-6) during the holiday weekend, and the Nittany Lions got the series win, taking the Friday and Sunday games.

The bats also came alive this weekend as the Nittany Lions scored 19 runs over the course of three games. Despite the Saturday loss, Penn State is cruising with a 13-3 home record in the 2022 season.

Game One

To open up the three-game series at Nittany Lion Softball Park, Penn State won by a score of 6-0.

Penn State came out firing when they put up two runs in the bottom of the first inning thanks to Cassie Lindmark’s double to get things going.

The game stayed quiet for a few innings until sophomore Liana Jones, who also had an amazing diving play in the first, had an RBI double. Maggie Finnegan wasted no time capitalizing on Penn State’s lead when she hit a two-run home run during the next at-bat.

The Nittany Lions scored once again due to a single from Kaitlyn Morrison to make it a 6-0 ball game. Bailey Parshall pitched a complete game shutout to earn the win.

Game Two

In the second game of the series, Penn State dropped the game by a score of 11-5.

Indiana jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning, scoring three runs. The Hoosiers kept their momentum going into the second inning, scoring another run to take a swift 4-0 lead.

The Nittany Lions got themselves on the board in the third when Cassie Lindmark drove in Maggie Finnegan. Finnegan once again stepped up in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run home run, making it a 4-3 game.

But, the Hoosiers extended their lead with four more runs in the top of the fifth. Penn State tried to rally in the bottom of the inning but could only come up with one run.

A series of hits for Indiana and another single run for Penn State finished out the seventh. Penn State absorbed the 11-5 loss.

Game Three

To close out the series, Penn State won 8-5.

Indiana once again started out the game with its offense when they registered a run in the top of the inning, but that was quickly answered, as Ally Kurland launched her 15th home run of the season to put Penn State up 2-1.

The second inning brought even more energy, as Maggie Finnegan stayed hot with her bat and blasted a triple off the left-field wall to later scored on a sac fly from Lexie Black.

Penn State struck once again in the bottom of the third when Ally Kurland hit another home run. This extended Penn State’s lead 4-1.

The Hoosiers brought their bats in the fourth scoring two, but a pickoff play from Lindmark ended the streak. Penn State carried this momentum to the plate, as Maggie Finnegan ripped a double, Lexie Black had a home run, and Lydia Coleman had a triple. Penn State then led 8-3.

Indiana came fighting back again scoring two in the fifth and one in the seventh, but Penn State was able to hold on and get the 8-6 win.

Takeaways

• Along with standouts Cassie Lindmark and Ally Kurland, the team as a whole has been producing at the plate. Whether it’s home runs or just being able to move runners, the Nittany Lions are scoring big time.
• With Sunday’s win, Penn State is now in the top half of the Big Ten standings. The Nittany Lions have 11 games left in conference play before the tournament, so there is definitely potential to make a run for a top spot.
• Bailey Parshall is still showing out in the circle. She pitched two complete games, both resulting in a win, during the series. This senior is about as dependable as it gets as a pitcher.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will face off against Ohio State on Tuesday, April 19, in a two-game rescheduled series in Colombus, Ohio. The games will take place at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.