Penn State softball (20-8, Big Ten 2-4) dropped two of its three games to Minnesota (21-14, Big Ten 2-4) in its second Big Ten series of the season in Minneapolis this weekend.

While the Nittany Lions won just one game during the series, the bullpen played a major part in keeping each matchup within striking distance. Pitcher Bailey Parshall led the charge with nine strikeouts in two of the three battles.

Conversely, offense proved to be the difference in Sunday’s outing, led by hot hitting from top-to-bottom. Penn State compiled eight hits in the 2-0 win to close out the weekend on a high note.

Games One

To open up the series, Penn State dropped game one 2-0.

The game happened to be a pitcher’s dual, with ace Bailey Parshall and Minnesota’s Autumn Pease manning the hill for both units.

The top of the first inning began with a Emily Maddock double for the Nittany Lions. Ultimately, Maddock failed to round the bases, and was left on second with three outs entering the second frame.

Let’s take a look back at that SWEET double from Emily in the top of the first! We play on

M2 | PSU 0, MINN 0#WeAre pic.twitter.com/KdJ9AGzZWQ

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) March 31, 2023

Maggie Finnegan had the second double of the day later in the bout, but once again, the Nittany Lion was left on base and no runs were scored.

Penn State still had a zero posted on the board heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Golden Gophers took advantage and made a turn.

The bottom of the inning started with Minnesota right fielder Nani Valencia ending up on base from a single, which led to her reaching scoring position off of a sacrifice bunt. But, with two outs, the Golden Gophers’ Kayla Chavez nailed a walk-off home run to win 2-0.

Game Two

After a break Saturday due to inclement weather, the series resumed on Sunday with another win for the Golden Gophers. This time proved to be more of the same for Penn State, falling 3-1.

Kylee Lingenfelter earned the start for game two, but two hits for Minnesota in the top of the first led to the first run of the game early.

There was no action from either side across the next four innings until Minnesota broke the stalemate and blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall, securing a 3-0 edge. Penn State pitcher Vanessa Oatley then entered the game and earned a strikeout to end the inning.

UMN knocks a two-run homer to left, but Vanessa books a strikeout to end the inning after entering as a reliever.

E5 | MINN 3, PSU 0#WeAre pic.twitter.com/EqgXACcxHy

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 2, 2023

After a trying scoreless span, Penn State finally warranted a run for the first time in the series courtesy of a Cassie Lindmark double. The senior’s spark helped the Nittany Lions cut their deficit to two runs, at a 3-1 clip.

Unfortunately, the Nittany Lions failed to curate offensive stability in the final frame, resulting in a 3-1 loss in the second battle.

Game Three

The final game of the weekend resulted in the Nittany Lions’ first win of the stretch, resulting in a 2-0 triumph.

The Nittany Lions embarked on a hot start offensively in game three, with Lexie Black hitting an infield single to run in Lindmark from third. Parshall then entered the circle and shut down the Golden Gophers with an elite mix of different pitches.

Lindmark once again led the charge in the top of the second when she had another double, this time scoring Finnegan.

Hitters gonna hit
That’s a 2-out RBI single for Cassie that added ANOTHER PSU run in the 2nd

M2 | PSU 2, MINN 0#WeAre pic.twitter.com/QRft6WM7xG

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 2, 2023

The Nittany Lions did not score in the third, but junior Emily Maddock continued her hot streak going 3-for-3 in four innings. Parshall once again struck down the Gophers, and Penn State still held the 2-0 lead to finish off the sixth inning.

To finish off the game, Melody Coombs rallied for a clutch double play and another groundout to give Penn State the 2-0 win.

TAKE TWOOOOOOOOO. Mel turns the double play, and Minnesota grounds out to finish the game

FINAL | PSU 2, MINN 0#WeAre pic.twitter.com/r5qUfMtoGr

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 2, 2023

Takeaways:

• The outcome of the games from the weekend may not have gone in Penn State’s favor, but the pitching staff was a positive outcome. Minnesota is a tough offense to go against, but the pitchers held strong and prove to be crucial to the team.
• To start off the season, catcher Cassie Lindmark hadn’t seen the field, but this series was an electric comeback for the catcher. From both the box and behind the plate, having Lindmark back has proven to be a huge shift in momentum at this point in the season.
• After only 32 appearances in her first two seasons as a Nittany Lion, Emily Maddock has made herself a major part of Penn State’s lineup. Going 3-for-3 in game three this weekend and continually getting on base was a huge step for the junior, as she’s now a big part of the lineup.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will travel for another Big Ten series against Northwestern. Game one of three will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 7, in Evanston, Illinois.