Cassidy Bell didn’t give a single out to Kent State (25-21).
The Penn State softball team (14-27, 5-10 Big Ten) split a doubleheader Wednesday against Kent State, losing the first game, 11-3, and winning the second, 9-0.
The Penn State junior had an impressive day going 4-for-4 with two homers, four RBI and four runs scored. She was also forced to walk three because Kent State failed to get her out once.
In the first game, Bell had two back-to-back homers for the first time in her career.
“I’ve never done that before,” Bell said of her homers, “so it felt great.”
Her feat was only the ninth in Penn State history. Her second homer counted as her ninth of the season, which tied her for fourth in Penn State single-season history. She also tied for sixth in total career home runs at Penn State.
Junior Lauren Yao confirmed that Bell has been someone they’ve been able to rely on offensively.
Yao also significantly added to the team’s offense, going 4-for-6 in the doubleheader with a double and three RBI. The Lions also had home runs from sophomores Jordan Wheatley and Kasie Hatfield.
Although the Nittany Lions added a loss with their first game, they had a striking total of ten hits.
“The first game we hit well,” head coach Robin Petrini said, “we just weren’t able to drive the runs in.”
In the second game, the Lions came back after a disappointing loss, while shutting out Kent State with their defense.
Senior Lisa Akamine only allowed one leadoff single in the fifth. She shutout the game for the Lions for the sixth time in her career.
“When Lisa’s on,” Petrini said, “she’s tough as nails.”
This weekend, the Lions play conference team Minnesota in a three-game series. They play Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.
Yao said they are definitely watching out for Minnesota’s defense, especially because they’re coming off of a close sweep against nationally ranked Michigan.
“[They] have some good pitching,” Petrini said. “So we’re going to have to be generating more runs.”
The team only has three more opponents to face before they end their regular season and Petrini has a straightforward goal.
“Play hard and fight to win,” Petrini said.
