Penn State softball (36-18, 12-11 Big Ten) fell to Texas State (45-13, 18-6 Sun Belt) 4-2 in its first game of NCAA Regionals on Friday evening in College Station, Texas.

Despite freshman pitcher Bridget Nemeth’s ability to manage threatening situations and allowing only a few runs throughout the matchup, the efforts were not enough to overcome Texas State’s offense and its right-handed pitcher, Jessica Mullins.

How It Happened

The first game of the NCAA Tournament opened with Mullins taking to the mound as pitcher. Kaitlyn Morrison, Emily Maddock, and Maddie Gordon swung for Penn State, but none could snag a spot on base and the top of the first went quickly.

With the Nittany Lions on defense, Texas State outfielder Emilee Baker secured the game’s first hit. Nemeth gave up a walk, and a later fumble with a ground ball from Gordan loaded the bases with two outs on the scoreboard. JJ Smith grounded out, giving the Nittany Lions the three outs they needed to close the inning.

At the top of the second, Mullins and Texas State struck out Liana Jones before senior catcher Gaby Garcia singled out toward left field. Michela Barbanente popped up to shortstop for another quick out, and Mullins gave up her first walk of the game to junior outfielder Haylie Brunson. With a pop-up, Audree Mendoza fouled out and left two runners on base for the Nittany Lions to close out the top of the second inning.

In the bottom of the inning, Penn State managed to make two quick outs. After allowing a walk to Sydney Harvey and Morrison struggling with a grounder, the Nittany Lions allowed two on base. Similar to the first inning, Penn State was once again threatened, but Nemeth managed to close it out as Baker grounded out to first base.

Penn State told a familiar story in the top of the third once again, giving up a quick three outs once more, keeping it a scoreless game.

Texas State infielder Sara Vanderford doubled to left-center field and put one on base for the Bobcats early on. However, three outs in a row retired the Bobcats after that.

In the fourth inning, Penn State struggled to find its rhythm and surrendered three outs back-to-back after a strikeout and two fly balls. Nemeth, after allowing a walk to Bass, also allowed a bunt. Later, a single up the middle from Hannah Earls brought her to second base for Texas State, allowing Bass to score and putting one on the scoreboard for Texas State. A grounder from outfielder Emilee Baker brought an end to the fourth inning.

In the top of the fifth, Barbanente offered a nice change of pace for the Nittany Lions and singled to first base. However, Penn State’s offense couldn’t connect after that and the side was retired three batters later.

Back at the plate, Vanderford grounded out to third. Anna Jones flew out down the infield line, putting two outs on the scoreboard. Later, a challenged call at first base put Piper Randolph safely on the diamond. With one on base for Texas State, Nemeth allowed Smith to be walked, putting two Bobcats on base. However, a pop-out saved the Nittany Lions and ended the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth, infielder Morrison notched a double through left field and put one on the bases early for the Nittany Lions. After a small hiccup and a fly out to the infield from Maddock, Gordon hit a homer out to left field and brought Morrison in to put two on the scoreboard for the Nittany Lions, taking the lead. Two more outs, a strikeout, and a caught fly ended Penn State’s most successful inning in the matchup yet.

In the answer to Penn State’s successful turn on offense, Sydney Harvey and Hannah Earls both singled. After a failed attempt to challenge the safe call at first base, Nemeth struck out Baker looking. A double from Vanderford put the Nittany Lions back in the hot seat as Harvey brought a run home. Another single from Jones also brought Earls home, too, and put another on the board for Texas State. Nemeth, with one strike to go, allowed Randolph a single to third base, allowing Jones to advance to third and bring Vanderford home, putting a total of three on the board for the Bobcats this inning. Another fair/foul call challenged, the Nittany Lions closed the inning by striking out JJ Smith looking.

Needing runs at the top of the seventh, Penn State was unable to put anything together. Haylee Brunson hit a grounder to second base and is out for the first of Penn State’s play this inning. Mendoza hitsa fly out to right field but is caught by Texas State. A strikeout from Klosowicz ends the game for the Nittany Lions.

Takeaways

• Penn State’s freshman pitcher Nemeth struggled to keep her foot on the gas throughout the matchup, in particular, allowing two runs in the later half of the game. However, she also pitched the full game and her pitch count reached 120.
• While Penn State didn’t necessarily struggle to reach base, the inconsistency of the teams hitting didn’t allow it to push its runners home.

What’s Next?

With its season on the line, Penn State will return at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday to take on the loser of the No. 16 Texas A&M vs. UAlbany.