For the first time since 2007, the Penn State softball team will be in the NCAA Tournament as they earned one of 34 at-large bids and will take on Fordham in Friday's first round. Penn State will host the first round regional at the new Nittany Lion Softball Park. The #13-seed Oregon and Albany will be joining the Nittany Lions and the Rams in Happy Valley this coming weekend. The regional will be double-elimination. The Nittany Lions, who were 29-22-1 on the season, were thought to be on the bubble going into this past week, but four straight wins over Ohio State and Northwestern seemed to seal their fate into the tournament. Oregon and Albany will play in the first game at 2:30 p.m. while Penn State and Fordham are scheduled to follow at 5:00 p.m.
The Penn State Dance Marathon is teaming up with another Major League Baseball team this summer in order raise money once again for the world's largest student-run philanthropy. On June 3rd, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be sponsoring "Penn State Night to Benefit THON" at PNC Park. That night, the Pirates will be taking on the Philadelphia Phillies who hosted their own THON night last year. A portion of the proceeds coming from $20 lower-level tickets or $12 upper-level tickets will be donated.