STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The Maryland softball team took an early lead, and came up clutch late, to defeat Penn State, 4-3 in the finale of their first Big Ten series. A two-run fourth inning helped the Terps build a 3-0 advantage before their senior leader came up big in the top of the final inning. 

After the Nittany Lions rallied back in the bottom of the sixth inning, Skylynne Ellazar came through just moments later with a home run to center field for the winning run. She finished the day with three hits and a walk. She leads the team with three home runs on the season. 

Maryland (12-20, 2-1 B1G) won the final two games of the series, marking its first series victory in conference play this season.

Sydney Golden threw seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits. Her performance came just one day after tossing five shutout innings. 

Anna Kufta got the Terps started in the second inning when she drove in Hannah Eslick with a single to right center.

Kassidy Cross provided a spark on offense with a two-RBI triple in the fourth inning. After Bailey Boyd singled and Mikayla Werahiko walked, Cross lined her first triple of the season down the left field line to give the Terps the lead.

The Nittany Lions put up a fight in the bottom of the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with no outs. Golden was able to limit the damage and keep the game tied after allowing only three runs. 

Maryland returns home next weekend with a three-game series against Iowa in College Park, Md.

-Terps-