COLUMBUS, Ohio—Despite a 3-for-4, two RBI performance at the plate from Shannon Bustillos and a 2-for-3 performance from both Lindsey Schmeiser and Hannah Dewey, the Maryland softball team dropped its Big Ten Tournament opener on Thursday to Penn State, 6-10.

With the loss, the Terps pull to 27-27 on the season.

Maryland struck first, tallying a run in each of the first two innings. L. Schmeiser opened the scoring, crossing home after a throwing error by the PSU catcher on a steal by Erin Pronobis. The Terrapins then extended its lead to 2-0 off a Mandy Gardner solo home run to left in the second.

The Nittany Lions knotted the game at two after Macy Jones laced a two-out double to right-center scoring Lexi Knief and Mollie Sorenson.

After a relatively quiet third and fourth for the Terps, Penn State capitalized in the fifth, scoring four runs off six hits to open a 6-2 lead.

In the bottom of the frame, Pronobis picked up an extra-base hit, a one-out double. With two outs in the inning Bustillos went yard for a two-run home run to left field, cutting the PSU lead to 6-4.

Penn State capitalized in the sixth, tacking on three runs off two hits, including a bases-loaded walk. In the bottom of the inning, Kylie Datil reached base off a single. L. Schmeiser drove her home with her 21st double of the season.

PSU added a run in the top of the seventh, taking a 10-5 lead into the final frame of the day. Corey Schwartz led the inning off with a solo home run to left center, prior to the game ending off a double play.

Kaitlyn Schmeiser (19-12) took the loss, striking out six, as Hannah Dewey also saw limited time from the circle.

The Terrapins conclude its 2015 campaign with a 27-27 record, a 16-game improvement from 2014.

-Maryland-