UNIVERISTY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Softball (16-4) split its home-opening doubleheader on Thursday, defeating UMBC, 4-1, but dropping its second matchup to Cornell, 4-3.
Penn State’s ace pitcher Bailey Parshall hurled seven dominant innings in the defeat of UMBC, allowing just one run on three hits and fanning five.
On the offensive end, it was Lexie Black and Melody Coombs who shined. The duo combined for a 9-for-12 performance on the night with three runs and four RBIs.
Game 1: Penn State 4 UMBC 1
The Nittany Lions jumped out to an early advantage when Coombs singled to centerfield then got into scoring position by stealing a base. Lydia Coleman moved Coombs over when she reached on an error. Morrison singled to short left field after Coleman brought home Coombs. Lexie Black doubled to the left centerfield, scoring both Coleman and Morrison and extending the Penn State advantage to three.
The Retrievers wouldn’t go down quietly however. Emily Riggs took a Parshall fastball over the centerfield fence to put UMBC on the board.
Penn State got its run back when Kaitlyn Morrison and Michelle Leone hit back-to-back doubles.
Parshall was able to shut the Retrievers down in the final inning and the Nittany Lions took their home opener, 4-1.
Game 2- Penn State 3 Cornell 4
Coombs opened up the game with a single and then swiped second base to…
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