PISCATAWAY, N.J. (March 31, 2018) – Clinging to a 4-2 lead with runners on second and third with no one out in the final inning, Rutgers softball turned a wild double play and freshman Bianca Vozenilek completed the save to defeat Penn State by the final score of 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at the RU Softball Complex.
 
The Scarlet Knights (17-15, 2-1) clinch a Big Ten series over the Nittany Lions (5-23, 1-4) for the first time.
 
Junior starting pitcher Whitney Jones has been the winning pitcher in both victories over Penn State. Following up her three-inning scoreless relief win on Friday, Jones tossed six frames and allowed two runs on seven hits and one walk to go with two strikeouts. Vozenilek entered the game tasked with saving the 4-2 advantage with the tying runners already both in scoring position.
 
Rutgers was set to allow one run to score as Vozenilek coaxed a groundout to shortstop, but Penn State got hung up on the base paths, allowing the Scarlet Knights to turn a 6-3-4-2-6 double play all while stranding the lead runner at third base. The rookie reliever then got a pop up to complete the escape act and earn her second career save.
 

With an incredible fielding exhibition, #RUSB prevents the RBI and completes a double play! pic.twitter.com/UMrUfmiW2m

— Rutgers Softball (@RUSoftball) March 31, 2018

Junior shortstop Jess Hughes extended her hitting streak to 13 games and reached base three times, while senior first baseman Rebecca Hall drove in a run and produced her 15^th multi-hit contest of the season with a 2-for-4 day. Senior second baseman Meaghan Wells and sophomore left fielder Hailey Hoklotubbe added RBIs for Rutgers.
 
Wells gave RU the early lead in the second, an important run as Rutgers improved to 13-2 when scoring the game's first run. With a runner at third and one out, Wells laid down a tough bunt and gave the Nittany Lions just one choice to try and come home, sophomore right fielder Nicole Bowman beat the tag and put RU up 1-0.
 
Penn State jumped ahead in the fourth on a two-run home run, the only real damage done to Jones on the day. She settled down in the fifth, allowing Rutgers to erase that one-run deficit with a little help from two Penn State defensive miscues. Rutgers scored two unearned runs as Hall bounced an RBI single over first base and Hughes crossed the plate after a muffed throw on a putout attempt at third during Myah Moy's fielder's choice grounder.
 
Hoklotubbe bought the insurance in the sixth with a clutch, two-out base hit to right field for the 4-2 advantage.
 

Haley Hoklotubbe hits up the middle and gets the RBI!

T7|#RUSB 4, PSU 2 pic.twitter.com/9fjNeaRfM6

— Rutgers Softball (@RUSoftball) March 31, 2018

KNIGHT NOTES

• The dramatic double play was Rutgers' 28th of the season in 32 games as they continue to lead the nation in the statistical category.
• Rutgers gets closer in the all-time series with Penn State, who now leads 30-23 and 8-3 since RU joined the Big Ten in 2015.
• Jess Hughes is hitting .432 during her 13-game hitting streak with an on-base percentage of .519.
• Rutgers improves to 13-2 when scoring the game's first run.
• RU moves to 2-4 this season when trailing after four innings.

 
UP NEXT
Rutgers and Penn State conclude the three-game Big Ten series on Easter Sunday, April 1 at noon from the RU Softball Complex, featuring a candy giveaway for all fans.
 
 
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 (facebook.com/RutgersSB).