Penn State softball looks to keep winning ways alive vs. No. 22 Michigan

Story posted April 7, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Justin Ciavolella

Penn State will face its biggest test of the season thus far when it hits the road to face the Michigan Wolverines in a three-game set this weekend.

The blue and white have historically had trouble against the Wolverines losing its 37 contests and are 7-74 all time in the series. 

Penn State showed its promise when it fired on all cylinders to sweep Purdue over the weekend. It was the Nittany Lions’ first sweep in Big Ten action since 2016 and helped them improve to 22-13 overall and 4-2 in conference play.

Going into the weekend, the Nittany Lion offense had been hit or miss, holding the team back on several occasions. By the end of the weekend, the offense looked significantly improved.

It was a display of power, discipline and production for an offense that was able to score 26 runs in three games against Purdue pitching.

Ally Kurland was the hottest hitter for Penn State this week as she earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors. Kurland hit .583, with seven hits, three home runs and eight RBI in four games.

She leads the Nittany Lions in multiple offensive statistics and her 14 doubles are good for third-best in the country.

Kurland is not alone at the top of the lineup though. Leadoff hitter Cassie Lindmark is in the midst of her successful campaign, hitting .406 with five home runs and 28 RBI. Lindmark has a knack for getting on base as she also has 11 walks and 11 hit-by-pitches for an on-base percentage of .504.

This week's task for Kurland, Lindarmark and the offense is a tough Wolverine staff with a combined staff ERA of less than 2.00.

Alex Storako is the ace of the staff and dominates every time she takes the circle. Storako has an ERA of 1.53 and 188 strikeouts in 114.1 innings of work. Add in Meghan Beaubien’s 2.37 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 59 innings of work and the Nittany Lions will have their hands full this weekend.

The Wolverine pitching staff posted a WHIP of 1.01, which will require the Nittany Lions to stay disciplined at the plate to work themselves into hitter-friendly counts. It is an important factor that could change the way that coach Clarisa Crowell’s club approaches this weekend.

A fast start is important for the Penn State lineup, but the speed and athleticism at the bottom of the order is something to watch. If that bottom of the order can wreak havoc on the bases, it could set up great chances for Kurland and Lindmark.

The staff that those two catchers work with is nothing short of exceptional either.

Led by Bailey Parshall and Kylee Lingenfelter, each of who pitched complete games in a doubleheader on Saturday, the pitching staff shut down the Purdue offense to just five runs the entire weekend.

The pitching staff has been the one consistency for Penn State this entire season. Highlighted by Parshall’s 1.43 ERA, .77 WHIP and 13-4 record, the staff takes any challenge head-on. 

But that does not mean the Wolverine offense will not be one that can be set down without a fight.

The Wolverines have six hitters batting over the .300 mark this season. Kristina Burkhardt leads the way with a .421 batting average, yet it has been a total team effort for Michigan.

Michigan lacks power, but their ability to put the ball in play bodes well for them, especially with a pitching staff that does not require too much support.

History is on Michigan’s side this weekend as it has been able to control the series by winning 74 of the 81 total matchups. Additionally, Michigan has not lost a game against Penn State since the 2007 season.

With the way that Penn State has looked as of late, there is a chance for them to get back in the win column against Michigan this weekend, but it will not come easily.

Justin Ciavolella is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jtc5751@psu.edu.