Penn State softball (15-6) struggled in its return to Texas this weekend, as it went 0-3 in games against Texas State. The Nittany Lions have dropped five straight games, including losses to Baylor and Texas.

The Penn State offense struggled to put runs on the board, scoring just three runs over 26 total innings, all of which were scored by Maddie Gordon.

Game One

After two scoreless innings for both squads, Texas State sparked an explosive third inning, scoring four runs off of a single from Hannah Earls that scored Kamden Sutton. Then, Anna Jones reached base on a single, but a Penn State throwing error pushed her all the way to third, scoring three runners in the process and bumping the Texas State lead to 4-0.

The Nittany Lions answered in the next inning thanks to a Texas State fielding error that allowed Gaby Garcia to take first, scoring Gordon and cutting down the 1-4 lead.

During its trip to the plate in the fourth inning, Texas State added another run to the board from a JJ Smith double to deep center field that scored Piper Randolph, making it a 5-1 ball game.

Gianni Poletti singled in the sixth inning, sending Gordon home for her second run scored of the day, but the runs ended there for the Nittany Lions, as they went scoreless in the seventh inning, dropping the first game of the series.

Game Two

Garcia got the blue and white off to a quick start as she batted in Gordon with a single that also advanced Brunson to second. The 1-0 lead was quickly knotted up by Texas State during its first inning at bat as Jones grounded out but scored Earls and advanced Sara Vanderford to third.

Both squads went scoreless for seven straight innings until Ciara Trahan hit a sacrifice fly to center field that allowed Katarina Zarate to score from third. The run put the Bobcats up 2-1 and secured the ballgame for them.

Game Three

A first-inning double from Texas State’s Kamryn Bass advanced Jones to third base. Jones then scored along with Vanderford from a throwing error by Emily Maddock. The crucial defensive error cost Penn State a 2-0 deficit early on in the ball game.

Bass returned to the plate in the sixth inning when she uncorked another double to right field, scoring two runners and extending Texas State’s 4-0 lead in the process. The Bobcats continued to pile it on in the sixth inning, as Earls scored two runners off a base hit, making it a 6-0 game.

Texas State’s pitcher, Jessica Mullins, allowed just two total hits in seven innings pitched, shutting out the Nittany Lions in the series finale.

What’s Next?

Penn State will host its own invitational next week, beginning with Lehigh at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, at the Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field. The game will be broadcast on BTN+.