Penn State softball mercies Michigan State to kick off Blue and White weekend

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The kickoff game for Penn State softball during Blue and White weekend was drawn up perfectly, as it certainly was all blue & white in the first of a three-game set against the Michigan State University Spartans.

It only took five innings for the Nittany Lions to secure a mercy rule over the Spartans, winning 10-0 while improving Penn State’s Big Ten record to 8-2.

The bottom of the first inning saw Penn State bat around the order, in which they scored four runs on three hits including a big two-run single from Gaby Garcia, bringing her RBI total up to 30, tied for first for Penn State.

While the Nittany Lions were showing discipline at the plate, taking good at-bats to total six walks on the day, there were also a few power strokes in the lineup.

Liana Jones recorded her fourth home run on the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the second to right-center field. Jones also had a single in the first inning for her first RBI of the day.

The second home run of the game came in grand fashion from Kaitlyn Morrison, who absolutely swatted a grand slam down the left-field line in the bottom of the third.

Morrison’s grand slam was her only hit of the day, but improved her OPS to 1.116 and slugging to .679 on the season, both of which lead Penn State.

“When I’m in the box, I’m just taking it one pitch at a time. That’s what I tried to focus on today and it definitely worked out for me,” Morrison said.

Maddie Gordon has continued to strike at the plate all season long, in this game it was no different. Gordon recorded a 2-3 day at the plate; her two hits raised her average to .353, now leading Penn State.

“She’s been great all year for us. Maddie’s been one of our most productive hitters, and she’s just a great overall player,” coach Crowell said.

There couldn’t be enough praise from coach Crowell after the game on the Nittany Lions’ production at the plate, “They got the job done. Really, really happy and proud of our offense. They just had an incredible day, a lot of great barrels on the ball… just a lot of great at-bats.”

Bridget Nemeth started in the circle for Penn State. After going four innings against the Spartans, Nemeth improved to an 18-1 record with a 1.13 ERA and a .90 WHIP.

The final line for Nemeth was four innings with two hits and walks with four strikeouts. She worked quickly and efficiently, especially when she struck out the side in the top of the first.

Nemeth also made her second straight appearance in the lineup, in which she hit a game-tying home run in her first game in the lineup this season in Lincoln. Nemeth went 0-1 with a walk and a run scored.

“Now that I’m getting back and seeing the ball better, I feel a lot better,” Nemeth said after working in a few at-bats now this season.

In terms of what is ahead for the Nittany Lions for the rest of the series, it’s still that “1-0” mentality that coach Crowell imposes on her team.

“Tomorrow’s a new day for us and them, so we’re going to be starting fast and looking to go 1-0 again,” Morrison said.

Blue and White weekend continues at Beard Field tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. for Game 2.

Caitlyn Brooks is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email crb6283@psu.edu.