Softball Drops Series Opener to PSU

Friday, April 24

University Park, Pa.

6:00 PM

Rutgers University

26-15, 10-8

Penn State

25-24, 7-11

Rutgers

Penn State

Apr 24 | Softball

Box Score

April 24, 2015

Final Stats

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (April 24, 2015) -- The Rutgers softball team suffered a slim 3-1 loss to Penn State on Friday night to open its weekend series at Beard Field.

Rutgers dropped to an overall record of 26-15 and a Big Ten mark of 10-8, while Penn State moved to 25-24 overall and 7-11 in the league.

Junior Stephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.) led RU with two hits, while freshmen Rebecca Hall (Fairfax, Va.) and Sierra Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.) added one each in the loss

Despite a leadoff single from Huang to open the frame, the Scarlet Knights got off to a slow start, stranding two on in the first inning.

With the score still 0-0 in the top of the third, seniors Chandler Howard (North Wilmington, Del.) and Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) reached via a walk and a PSU miscue. A wild pitch from Jessica Cummings advanced both Scarlet Knight runners to scoring position. However, RU could not bring the runs in.

While the Scarlet Knights searched for momentum on offense, senior Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.) held strong in the circle. The senior lefty worked a 1-2-3 inning to keep PSU scoreless for the third consecutive frame.

It wasn't until the bottom of the fifth that Penn State put one on the board via an RBI double from Lexi Kneif. Mollie Sorensen then registered the Nittany Lions' third hit of the frame to extend PSU's lead to 2-0. However, Landrith retired the next three batters at the plate to prevent any further damage.

Rutgers responded with an RBI single from Hallto send junior Melanie Slowinski (Severn, Md.) home, cutting into the deficit 2-1.

The Nittany Lions would go on to extend its lead to, 3-1, with a solo home run from Shannon Good. Landrith countered by sending three straight batters back to the dugout.

In the top of the seventh, Huang led off with a single, but it was not enough to ignite a comeback for RU.

The Scarlet Knights continue its series with the Nittany Lions on Saturday afternoon. The first pitch is set for 3 p.m.

KNIGHT NOTES

Alyssa Landrith (14-9) delivered nine strikeouts to bring her career total to 614. She stands as RU's all-time strikeout leader.

Rebecca Hall notched her 27th RBI of the season to plate RU's lone run of the contest. Hall extended her hitting streak to nine straight contests.
Stephanie Huang and Sierra Maddox hold a three-game hit streak.

Jackie Bates and Rebecca Hall have reached base in nine consecutive games.

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers softball, follow the program on Twitter (@RUSoftball) and Instagram (@RU_Softball). The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersSB).

- RU-