STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Records are made to be broken. We’ve already seen several historic marks fall this year around Penn State athletics, although they’ve happened in different ways. Sean Clifford took hold of nearly every major passing mark in Penn State football history, partly due to his longevity with the program. Jalen Pickett put together one of the best single seasons ever seen in Happy Valley to become Penn State basketball’s first All-American in nearly 70 years. But on the softball diamond, the Nittany Lions have someone who has done both. Penn State star Bailey Parshall has made a career of outstanding performances in the Blue and White. On Tuesday, Parshall used another dominating outing to make program history on several fronts. 

Bailey Parshall dominates in blowout win

Penn State softball dominated in-state foe Bucknell from start to finish on Tuesday night. Home runs from the likes of Lexie Black, Michelle Leone, and Maddie Gordon helped lead the Lions to a 9-0 victory that was mercy ruled in the fifth inning. 

Elite pitching. Elite hitting. Take a look back at last night’s COMPLETE TEAM EFFORT against Bucknell?#WeAre pic.twitter.com/ei1qmFL6P6

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 19, 2023

However, the most dominant performance was that of Penn State star, super senior ace pitcher Bailey Parshall. She allowed only three hits in the complete-game effort, striking out six batters in the process. With the dominant showing, Parshall took hold of two significant Penn State softball program records.

Penn State star uses dominant outing to make program history

After Parshall struck out her second batter of the game in the first inning, she reached 746 career strikeouts. This milestone gave her the most strikeouts by any pitcher in Penn State softball program history. Passing previous record-holder Missy Beseres, Parshall finished the night with 750 strikeouts for her career. 

This record was a long time coming, as Parshall posted over one hundred strikeouts in consecutive years, 2019 and 2020. She posted 83 in 2021 but fanned a career-high 211 batters in 2022. However, this year looks to be one of her best seasons yet. The Penn State star already has 143 strikeouts with about two weeks left in the regular season.  

HISTORY. MADE. Say HELLO? to Penn State’s all-time career strikeout leader, @baileyparshall #WeAre | #queenB pic.twitter.com/iTdU9wcjzv

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 18, 2023

With her shutdown performance against the Bison, Parshall also became Penn State softball’s all-time shutouts leader. Parshall’s 21st shutout of her career was also her 12th complete game of the season, showing how dominant she has been in the circle both in 2023 and her time at Penn State. 

One program record in a day wasn’t enough… Bailey Parshall is also the NEW ALL-TIME NITTANY LION SHUTOUT LEADER??

Typical ? behavior.#WeAre | #queenB pic.twitter.com/jwCiQpEA4p

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 18, 2023

What’s next for Parshall and the Lions?

While these records already cement Parshall’s place in Penn State softball program history, she still has at least two more weeks in the circle to add to her storied career. After winning their fourth game in a row, the Nittany Lions are now 24-13 overall and sit at 5-9 in conference play. The Lions head to Maryland this weekend for a crucial three-game series that can help sure up their place in the Big Ten standings. Stay tuned to Basic Blues Nation for all your news and notes as Bailey Parshall and Penn State softball close out a historic season.

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