Penn State softball (13-14, 1-3 Big Ten) split its series against Minnesota (13-15, 2-2 Big Ten) this weekend.

Despite a strong attempt to win their first Big Ten series of the season, Minnesota proved to be too much to handle in the first game. However, pitching and hitting combined for a powerful display in game two to come away with a split.

Game One

Penn State’s Abi Britton got the start and immediately ran into trouble in the first inning. Minnesota had a walk, a hit batter, and a single to set up bases loaded with no outs. Britton got Maggie Werner to pop out but allowed Margaret Tobias to score from third base on a wild pitch. After that, Jessa Snippes walked to re-load the bases, and Jae Cosgriff singled to score a runner.

Down 2-0 going into the bottom of the first, Penn State managed a single from Haylie Brunson before turning it back over to Minnesota.

After a quick inning from Britton, the Nittany Lions punched back in the second inning. Meagan Ricks led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Jenna Nelson, and stole third. Ricks then scored on a single from Kaylie Walters.

However, Minnesota got the best of Britton in the third. After Snippes singled and Cosgriff walked, Kayla Chavez hit a three-run home run to put the Gophers up 5-0.

After a scoreless inning from Penn State, Minnesota continued its run in the fourth inning. Lydia Spalding took over for Britton and immediately hit Tobias with a pitch. Taylor Krapf walked, and Tobias scored on a single from Nani Valencia. After Reili Gardner pinch-ran for Krapf, she scored on a walk from Snippes. Mady Volpe then came in to pitch and retired three and limited the damage.

After a scoreless bottom of the fourth for Penn State and top of the fifth for Minnesota, the Nittany Lions found their stride. The half of the inning started when Walters walked, followed by a single from Natalie Lieto. Walters advanced to third on a fly out from Brunson and scored on a single from Brooke Klosowicz. Lieto scored on a fielder’s choice from Maddie Gordon, and then Ricks took advantage of the runners on base by hitting a three-run home run. Penn State went into the sixth inning trailing the Gophers by one run.

Penn State added another run in the sixth inning off of a sacrifice fly from Klosowicz, tying Minnesota heading into the last inning.

Despite the comeback to tie the game, the Nittany Lions ended up losing the first game of the series after Krapf tripled and scored on a wild pitch. Even after getting two runners on base for Jiselle Hernandez in the bottom of the seventh, Penn State could not capitalize, and lost by a score of 8-7.

Game Two

Minnesota started quickly against Penn State starter Volpe, with Krapf hitting a solo home run as the second batter of the game. Valencia singled and Werner walked, but Volpe was able to limit the damage to just one run.

The Nittany Lions came back in the bottom of the third, starting with a double from Walters, followed by a single from Ricks that scored Walters due to a throwing error. Brunson then singled to score Ricks, and Klosowicz hit a two-run home run, her seventh of the season.

Brunson added on to the Penn State lead in the fifth with a solo home run. A 6-1 lead seemed attainable after Gordon doubled and Madison Seidel singled, but Gordon was thrown out at home trying to score.

Volpe, Hernandez, and Britton combined to throw six innings of scoreless ball after the home run in the first inning. Penn State came away with its first Big Ten win with a final score of 5-1.

Takeaways

• After a strong showing the weekend before, Penn State found itself struggling at times in this series and in the series against Northwestern.
• While the pitchers struggled at the beginning of the games, they found their groove later in the game.
• When the offense clicks, they show that they can be really special.
• After yet another home run, Klosowicz is continuing her tear. Despite a slow start to the weekend, Klosowicz ended the series with three hits and four RBIs.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will continue Big Ten play next weekend against Indiana. The first game is at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 21, and will be streamed on BTN+.