Penn State racked up a total of 18 hits over two games as the Nittany Lions swept the Wisconsin softball team, 5-1, 4-1 in a Big Ten doubleheader Sunday. With the loss, the Badgers fall to 21-13 overall and 4-4 in conference play this season.
In game one, Penn State (18-17, 4-4) got on the board in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI double by Erica Greenberg, scoring Jackie Dabrowski from second. Four hits and a sacrifice fly led to three additional runs in the third, and the Lions tacked on one more score in the sixth to take a 5-0 lead.
The Badger offense managed just one base runner throughout the first six innings as junior Anna Jones broke up the no-hitter in the fourth with a shot to center field. In the seventh, Wisconsin finally showed some life, producing three hits, including an RBI single by Nicki Starry that scored Kerry Hagen from second. With two outs and sophomore Sheena Padovan at the plate, the game ended when Mandy Liles was thrown out at third while trying to advance on a passed ball. PSU pitcher Marisa Hanson struck out six while giving up no walks and facing just 24 batters in the contest.
In game two, Penn State again took the lead in the second with Meghann Humphrey coming home on a wild pitch. The Nittany Lions added a run in the top of the fifth before Wisconsin cut the deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the frame.
Liles fired her second double of the season down the left-field line, then advanced on a hit to the left by sophomore Diana Consolmagno. Hanson relieved Lion starter Tina Skelly and forced the inning’s first out before giving up a run on a sac fly by Hagen. Jones grounded out to end the inning and the Badgers were held scoreless for the duration of the game. Penn State scored insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Wisconsin continues its season on the road next weekend, visiting Michigan State Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, before meeting 13th-ranked Michigan for a doubleheader Sunday.
–compiled from staff reports