Penn State drops final regular season game to Washington Huskies

The Penn State softball team (24-26, 10-12 Big Ten) dropped their regular season finale at home 8-0 to the visiting Washington Huskies. In what was a rainy affair to conclude a rainy weekend in less-than-Happy Valley, Penn State got shut out and run-ruled by UW (34-16, 12-9 Big Ten).

Penn State finished off the season 11-5 at home overall and 5-4 in conference play.

“I’m proud of everything that we’ve been able to accomplish here on our field. Our kids, they just do a great job, and thankful to have the support of your fans at home,” said Penn State Head Coach Clarissa Crowell.

Washington’s Morgan Reimer recorded a complete-game shutout, only allowing two hits while striking out three across the five frames.

“That’s a good team over there, and just today was their day,” said Crowell.

The Nittany Lions were shut down offensively, with only 17 batters coming to the plate as they struggled to find grass and work on base.

In their final home game at Beard Field, seniors Meagan Ricks, Maddie Gordon and Haylie Brunson went a combined 0-6 at the plate.

“It’s bittersweet. Honestly, we knew this day was eventually going to come, so I’m sure there'll be some tears and emotions like that,” said Brunson following Saturday’s 7-5 win.

Senior pitchers Lydia Spalding and Mady Volpe were tagged for four runs combined as Washington had a burst of offense led by freshman first baseman Alexis DeBoer.

She rocked two solo home runs on the day, including one that traveled over the scoreboard in left field. She would end her day 3-3 while teammate Riley Peschek got things started with a three-run blast in the second, her only hit of the affair.

Both teams will head to West Lafayette as Purdue will host this year’s Big Ten Tournament.

The Huskies finished the season 12-9 in conference play, good enough for the seventh seed in the field of 12, while Penn State’s loss drops them from 10th down to 11th with Indiana holding the tiebreaker over the Nittany Lions.

Assuming all holds, Penn State will play the sixth-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes, who swept the Nittany Lions in Iowa City just a few weeks ago. It featured two defensive battles in a 2-1 and 3-1 win for the Hawkeyes, along with a blowout 10-2 win.

The bats took a step back following five runs on Friday and a seven-spot yesterday, but Crowell is sure the team can produce.

“I just want our team to go out there and play the way that I know we’re capable of playing. We’ve shown signs of that all year,” said Crowell.

Penn State and Iowa will play the final game of the opening round on Wednesday night for a 7 p.m. EST start, with the winner taking on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the quarterfinals the following day.

“Today was their day, but Wednesday is going to be our day,” said Crowell.

Jeremy Rose is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jrose0531@gmail.com.