Penn State softball (18-6) defeated Cornell (2-9) 10-1 in the third game of the Penn State Invitational.

After a tremendous comeback win against Lehigh earlier in the day, Mady Volpe led the Nittany Lions with six strikeouts to a mercy-rule win over the Big Red to advance to 3-0 in the tournament.

How It Happened

Volpe earned her start in the circle, but Cornell quickly took the 1-0 lead with a home run from Emma Antich. The defense showed up and only allowed a single run in the first inning.

Kaitlyn Morrison got on base in the bottom of the first, and a slap single from Emily Maddock put runners on first and second. Haylie Brunson laid down a bunt, and an error on the throw allowed for Morrison to score and everyone to be safe.

Maddie Gordon kept it rolling with a double off of the left field fence and scored Maddock. Gaby Garcia kept her bat hot and registered a three-run home run to keep the momentum going for Penn State.

Liana Jones also laid down a bunt to get runners back on. Jones then made it to third base, and Gianna Polleti hit a ground ball to first for the RBI. Freshman Michela Barbanente also got time at the plate and singled, but Morrison grounded out for the final out.

Penn State led 6-1 after one inning.

Cornell had one runner in the second inning but no runs scored. But the Nittany Lions picked up right where they left off when Maddock laid a bunt down, and a ground ball from Brunson back to the pitcher got her out at second.

Gordon also flew out to center, but Garcia got one through the infield and allowed runners to advance to second and third. Jones hit a shallow fly ball that no one could get to, allowing Brunson and Garcia to score. Jones then got picked off on a stealing attempt to second to end the inning.

After two innings, the Nittany Lions upped their lead 8-1.

Penn State’s defense held three up and three down in the top of the third, and Cornell switched pitchers to sophomore Madalyn Covelli. Covelli shut down the Nittany Lions with three straight batters and ended the inning.

The Big Red started the fourth with a runner on first, but Volpe worked out of a jam and kept the score 8-1.

Morrison began the fight with a strikeout, but the offense sparked again with a walk for Maddock. Then, Brunson grounded to shortstop, and Maddock was forced out at second base. Brunson did get on with a fielder’s choice, and Gordon smashed a double to right-center to score Brunson.

Sophomore Madison Seidel made the most of her pinch hit at bat and singled to right field and scored Gordon to make the score 10-1 after four innings.

Volpe was on fire in the top of fifth inning, silencing Cornell and finishing off the mercy rule 10-1 win.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will keep rolling in the Penn State Invitational at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, against Canisius. The game will be streamed on BTN+.