Game Grades: Penn State Softball vs. Illinois
One last time.
The Penn State Nittany Lions hosted the Illinois Illini for their final weekend at Beard Field.
After the weather altered the original schedule, Penn State battled in a doubleheader showdown, sweeping its Big Ten opponent.
Let’s reflect on how the blue and white played in the home finale on Saturday:
Batting: A+
The bats were bright spots despite the cloudy weather.
Penn State dominated early from the batter’s box. The home team notched 11 hits in the five-inning game.
In addition to the various singles, doubles and RBIs, senior Kaitlyn Morrison smashed a two-run home run to center.
The Nittany Lions are an aggressive team at the plate and they showed it throughout the second matchup with a pair of senior-hit homers.
The bats didn’t quit and were the biggest factor in the day’s success. As the hits ramped up, the pitchers and fielding could relax knowing they had a comfortable lead over Illinois.
The blue and white tallied 15 runs in its doubleheader making it easily one of its best showings of the season and an excellent finale at home.
Fielding: B+
The defense matched the offense’s energy.
Penn State held a competitive Illinois team to just three runs in the battle at home.
The Illini did record an impressive home run robbery, snagging Maddie Gordon’s bomb at the wall, but the Nittany Lions did the same.
Lilia Crouthamel was not letting anyone over the wall as she made two key catches preventing any extra runs from scoring.
The team knew it was senior day and played to the highest level we’ve seen in a while. The clutch plays and electric catches fired up the bench and packed stands.
As Penn State is wrapping up its season at home, expect this same defensive energy in the final regular season series against Purdue.
Pitching: A-
It was a senior showcase as Bailey Parshall and Kylee Lingenfelter owned the weekend from the circle.
The dynamic duo were on their A-game, combining for a double-digit strikeout count.
The staff allowed three runs compared to previously perfect games, but only two starters were needed for the entire series.
The pitchers were throwing heat despite the chilly weather in Happy Valley, silencing some competitive hitters from Illinois.
Penn State sits atop the Big Ten in pitching statistics and Saturday’s wins proved why it is one of the top groups in the conference.
Senior Send-off: E(motional)
In the midst of the back-to-back victories, the Nittany Lions honored the elite group of seniors for all their accomplishments in the program.
It was bittersweet for everyone. From senior parents throwing out the first pitch to fun cut outs of players’ heads in the stands, the heartfelt day united everyone for some quality softball.
The section of seniors make up a huge part of this team and are some of the biggest contributors to the program’s historical success.
Each and every player will be missed as seen through the emotion on Coach Clarisa Crowell’s face, but their legacies will live forever at Beard Field.
Meghan Strange is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her email mgs5649@psu.edu.
