Penn State softball (20-13, Big Ten 2-9) lost two games against Ohio State (25-13, Big Ten 6-5) in a doubleheader Tuesday night at Nittany Lion Softball Park.

The Nittany Lions extended their losing streak to five-straight Big Ten falters with a pair of defeats to the Buckeyes. The offensive firepower ramped up at the first game’s conclusion, but the spark was not enough to lead Penn State to a split outing.

Game One

Ohio State came out hot to start off the night, taking game one 9-5.

Penn State pitcher Bailey Parshall started off strong, holding the Buckeyes down in the first two innings. Then, Kaitlyn Morrison doubled in the bottom of the second, scoring Morgan Farrah to give Penn State a 1-0 edge.

B2: Doubles so nice that we mash them twice!

Kaitlyn Morrison doubles and then Morgan Farrah brings her home and the Nittany Lions lead!

1⃣-0#WeAre pic.twitter.com/94KQmvOLzf

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 11, 2023

The Buckeyes quickly retaliated at the top of the third blasting back-to-back home runs to claim a 2-1 lead. Ohio State threatened again in the top of the fourth after a double started the inning, but a quick play against a squeeze bunt at the plate by Parshall and double-play off a line drive stopped the rally.

The latter half of the fourth inning had Maggie Finnegan and Kathryn Rex on base, but a deep flyout from Melody Coombs ended the frame.

Ohio State struck again in the fifth when they loaded the bases with two outs, and Meggie Otte had a base-clearing double to make the score 5-1. But, the Nittany Lions answered with a two-run home run from Liana Jones to close the gap at a 5-3 mark.

The Buckeyes once again showed up at the plate when Hannah Church had a two-run shot, which extended Ohio State’s lead to 7-3. Another single for Ohio State gave the visitors more momentum, making the margin 8-3.

Penn State then scored after a miscommunication in the field on Cassie Lindmark’s hit, and it scored once again after a single from Emily Maddock.

Unfortunately, the Nittany Lions could not finish the comeback bid, resulting in a 9-5 loss.

Game Two

The second game of the doubleheader resulted in a 4-1 Ohio State win.

The Buckeyes continued their hot streak from game one starting off with the bases loaded and two runs after a double from Sam Hackenbracht. The Nittany Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the first as well, but no runs crossed the plate.

No runs were scored again until the top of the fourth when, once again, Hackenbracht showed up big one more time and sent one over the fence, upping the lead to a 3-0 mark.

Penn State finally got its offense going in the sixth after Maggie Finnegan tattooed a ball to left center for an RBI, making the score 3-1.

Bailey Parshall also finished out the game in the circle for the Nittany Lions, but Ohio State continued to find runs as they added one in the top of the seventh thanks to a sacrifice fly.

Penn State could not find the runs in the final half of the seventh inning to get the win, causing the Nittany Lions to lose 3-1.

Takeaways:

• The Nittany Lions had a number of solid hits, but they need to find consistency as a team in order to win games. Penn State had over seven runners left on base in game one, and RBIs are crucial in winning these close games.
• The pitching staff started off the season hot with one of the best ERAs in the country, but these recent series’ have resulted seen in hard-hit balls coming from the opposition coming in droves. Whether it’s pitch calling or strictly pitchers and their spots, the concern is something to focus on heading into the campaign’s final stretch and into the postseason.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will remain at home for another Big Ten Series against Rutgers. Game one will start at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 14. This will also serve as softball’s first Dollar Dog Night of the season.