UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State softball team briefly took a five run lead over non-conference foe Pittsburgh at home on Tuesday, April 15, but then the Lady Panthers stepped on the gas and ran off 13 unanswered runs in a 16-8, six-inning victory.
Then, back in Big Ten play on Saturday, April 19, at Iowa, Penn State gave up two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to the Hawkeyes and could not respond to a tough, 2-1 loss in Iowa City.
Against Pittsburgh, Penn State scored eight runs in the first two innings and watched as the Panthers sprinted past for the win.
Brooke Klowowicz sparked the six-run Penn State second inning with a three-run home run, while Natalie Lieto, Haylie Brunson and Michela Barbanente all had RBI hits as the Lions took an 8-3 lead.
But Pittsburgh came back with six runs in the top of the third inning and then six more in the top of the fifth to take a commanding 15-8 lead.
Penn State was unable to respond with UP pitchers shutting down the Lions without a run over the final four innings.
Penn State knocked out 11 hits altogether with Lieto, Maddie Gordon, Meagan Ricks and Kaylie Walters all getting two, while Klosowicz led the team with three RBIs.
Pittsburgh, at the same time, also had 11 hits, but it hit five home runs and had 10 runners put on with walks.
The loss evened the Penn State record at 20-21 overall and 6-7 in the Big Ten.
On Saturday, April 19, the Lions began a three-game series in Iowa with a close, 2-1 loss to the Hawkeyes.
Penn State went ahead with a run in the top of the second inning on a fielder’s choice by Madison Seidel, but Iowa came back with two in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead.
The Lions from there were unable to break through Iowa pitcher Jalen Adams who went all seven innings and gave up just two hits and one run with three strikeouts.
Penn State pitchers Mady Volpe and Abigail Britton were nearly as effective, but Volpe allowed two runs and Iowa was able to hold on for the one-run win.
Penn State first baseman Meagan Ricks got both of the Lions’ hits in the game.
Penn State fell to 20-22 overall with the loss and 6-8 in Big Ten play.
The Sunday, April 20, game in Iowa was postponed because of weather and moved to a Monday, April 21, doubleheader. After the series in Iowa, Penn State will travel to Maryland for a weekend series against the Lady Terrapins on Friday, April 25, Saturday, 26, and Sunday, 27.
LATE SCORE:
- April 21, Iowa 10, Penn State 2 (First Game)
Iowa took advantage of some Penn State wildness with a big fourth inning and pulled away for a 10-2 win and a 2-0 advantage in the series.
The teams were tied going into the fourth inning 2-2 when Iowa rallied and took control of the game.
Penn State is now 20-23 for the season with Game 2 of the double header scheduled for Monday night.
