Penn State softball (19-6) defeated Canisius (4-8) 8-2 in the fourth game of the Penn State Invitational.

The Nittany Lions were aggressive at the plate all day, scoring multiple runs in three straight innings, including four in the fourth inning. The group was led by Maddie Gordon who had two hits, including a home run, and two RBIs.

How It Happened

Canisius put a runner on in the opening inning via a single up the middle from Gianna Fazzolari, but nothing came of it as Rosie Gomez flew out to first base shortly after. The Nittany Lions went three up three down at the plate to close out the first inning.

Emily Llano earned a lead-off walk for Canisius and then stole second to get into scoring position. Bridget Nemeth walked another batter but proceeded to force a ground out to third to end the inning before the Golden Griffins could draw first blood. The lack of activity continued at the plate for the Nittany Lions as the second inning came to a close with the score sitting at 0-0.

Penn State took to the plate again after a three up three down at bat for Canisius to start the third. Jiselle Hernandez hit a chipper in front of the pitcher but beat the throw to first, giving Penn State its first base runner of the day. Gianna Poletti advanced Hernandez to second on a sacrifice bunt. Another sacrifice bunt was attempted, but Michela Barbanente made contact with the ball while running to first, resulting in an automatic out and forcing Hernandez to stay put at second.

With two outs, Kaitlyn Morrison hit a pop fly, but the outfielder was unable to reel it in, allowing Hernandez to score from second and give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead. On top of that, Emily Maddock hit a deep shot to right field that bounced off the wall, scoring Hernandez. The inning ended after Hailey Brunson grounded out to second base, but Penn State exited the third inning with a 2-0 lead.

Llano earned another walk off of Nemeth, but it amounted to nothing as Hannah Hagerman hit a grounder to second that forced Llano out from a fielder’s choice. Nemeth then struck out Dani Ross to send the Nittany Lions back to the plate.

Gordon singled to shortstop to put a lead off runner on base. Gordon then stole second and reached third due to an errant throw from the Canisius catcher. Liana Jones earned a walk to first after a gritty battle at the plate, putting runners on the corners with just one out.

Hernandez hit a grounder to third but another errant throw from the Canisius defense went soaring over the first baseman’s glove and rolled into no mans land, scoring Jones and Gordon and putting Hernandez on third. The triple extended Penn State’s 4-0 lead. Barbanente knocked a single through the infield that scored Hernandez.

The explosive fourth inning continued for the Nittany Lions as Morrison hit a line-drive double into the left field corner that scored Barbanente. Maddock then grounded out to first, ending the inning, but the damage had already been done as Penn State’s lead sat at 6-0 now.

Canisius answered back with a double thanks to a Penn State throwing error, followed by a base hit from Ella Johel that advanced Cloutier to third. Gabi Farris reached on a fielder’s choice as Maddock opted to throw home where Maddison Seidel tagged the runner out. Fazzolari got the ball to drop into right field, scoring Johel and Farris to cut into Penn State’s 6-2 lead. Gomez flew out to left field, ending the inning for Canisius.

Haylie Brunson reached on a lead off single to start the bottom of the fifth for Penn State. Shortly after, Gordon blasted a home run to dead center, scoring Brunson and herself to make it a 8-2 ball game. A groundout from Lydia Coleman ended the inning for Penn State.

A Maddie Gordon HOME RUNNNN! Things are heating up here at Beard Field.

B5 | 1 OUT | PSU 8, CAN 2#WeAre pic.twitter.com/wuOHUCn1B3

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) March 16, 2024

Nemeth began to take control of the game, striking out back-to-back batters in the top of the sixth. With runners on first and second and two outs on the board, Gordon popped out to left field, ending the sixth inning.

A three up three down trip to the plate for Canisius ended the ball game, giving Penn State its fourth straight win.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will wrap up the Penn State Invitational at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, against Binghamton. The game will be streamed on BTN+.