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Penn State Softball Goes 3-0 In Weekend Series Against Maryland

Madison Sosnowski | Onward State
By Ryan McInerney
4/27/25 4:14 pm

Penn State softball (24-24, 10-10 Big Ten) swept Maryland (17-28, 3-16 Big Ten) 3-0 in a weekend series in College Park, Maryland.

Penn State delivered when it mattered most, putting up runs in huge spots and coming through in pressure innings against Maryland. Late-game offense and key outs on defense helped the Nittany Lions survive every Maryland comeback attempt over the weekend.

Game One

Meagan Ricks led off the series by blasting a solo home run to center field, immediately putting Penn State on top.

Haylie Brunson flew out to left, but Brooke Klosowicz followed with a double down the left-field line. Maggie Gordon was hit by a pitch to put two runners on. Natalie Lieto then singled, scoring Klosowicz and giving Penn State a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Michela Barbanente flied out to left and Maddie Seidel grounded out to short to end the inning.

In the bottom of the first, Maryland’s Mazie MacFarlane walked and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly, cutting the Penn State lead to one.

The second inning was quiet for both teams.

In the third, Sydney Woods tied it for Maryland with a solo home run to left field.

Penn State would answer in the fourth. Lieto was hit by a pitch, moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Barbanente, and came around to score after a throwing error behind the plate, giving Penn State a 3-1 lead.

In the fifth, Penn State exploded. Ricks doubled to right center to start the inning, and Brunson crushed a two-run home run to left center.

Klosowicz reached on an error and Gordon doubled. Both came around to score, with Barbanente adding an RBI double. Four runs crossed to break the game open at 7-2.

In the sixth, Ricks doubled again, Brunson walked, and both stole bases before Ricks scored on a wild pitch. Klosowicz doubled in another run, and Gordon and Klosowicz both scored after another wild pitch.

Maddie Volpe threw five innings, giving up just two hits and two runs, and Addison Britton closed it out in the sixth. Penn State finished off Maryland 10-2 to take game one.

Game Two

Ricks walked to open the second game, and Brunson also walked, but Klosowicz struck out looking and Gordon hit into a double play to end the first frame.

After Maryland jumped ahead with four runs in the bottom of the first, Penn State answered fast.

Lieto grounded out to the pitcher, but Barbanente walked and Seidel reached on a fielder’s choice. Nelson reached on an error, and Walters singled up the middle to score Seidel. Ricks singled to score Nelson. Brunson then hit a two-run single to left center to tie the game at four. Klosowicz singled, but Gordon struck out swinging to end the rally.

Maryland took back the lead, but in the third, Penn State would push right back. Lieto doubled to center, Barbanente walked, and Seidel sacrificed them over one base. Coleman walked but was caught off base. Walters came through again, singling up the middle to drive in two more.

Ricks walked, and after a wild pitch, Brunson singled in two more runs before Klosowicz grounded out.

In the fourth, Gordon doubled, but Lieto grounded out, Barbanente walked and stole second, Seidel struck out looking, and Coleman grounded out.

Next inning, Walters singled, Ricks walked, and Brunson singled to drive in Walters. Klosowicz moved the runners over with a bunt. Gordon doubled to drive in two more, then Lieto struck out and Barbanente was hit by a pitch before Seidel struck out looking.

After a quiet sixth for both teams, Penn State got insurance in the seventh. Brunson grounded out, but Klosowicz homered to right.

Gordon flew out, Lieto singled, Barbanente reached on an error, and Poletti delivered a two-run single.

Maryland tried to rally with a two-run home run, but Volpe finished it off, clinching a 14-12 slugfest win that lasted over three hours.

Game Three

Ricks walked and stole second to start the game. Brunson struck out looking, Klosowicz walked, and a passed ball moved the runners up. Gordon stepped up to the plate and crushed a three-run homer to left center to give Penn State a fast 3-0 lead.

Lieto walked, and after a pitching change, Barbanente walked too. Another passed ball moved them up. Seidel walked, and Nelson reached on a fielder’s choice, keeping the bases loaded. Walters walked to drive in a run, and Ricks walked again to bring in another. A wild pitch scored another run before Brunson walked. Klosowicz grounded out to end the huge inning with seven runs scored.

Maryland responded with four runs in the bottom half, but Penn State still led 7-4.

In the second, Gordon struck out swinging, Lieto grounded out to third, and Barbanente walked. Seidel reached on a fielder’s choice, but Barbanente was thrown out to retire the side.

In the third, Nelson walked, Walters struck out looking, Ricks struck out looking, but Brunson crushed another two-run homer to left center.

Klosowicz and Gordon both walked before Lieto flew out to end the inning.

The fourth inning was quick. Barbanente flew out, Seidel walked, but Coleman hit into a fielder’s choice and Walters popped up to short.

In the fifth, Ricks flew out, Brunson grounded out to second, and Klosowicz grounded out to third, minimizing any damage for Maryland.

In the sixth, Gordon walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Lieto walked, and after a pitching change, Barbanente blasted a three-run home run of her own to left, blowing the game open. Seidel and Coleman struck out, and Walters flew out to left, but Penn State extended their lead to 12-6.

Penn State did not score in the seventh. Ricks flew out to center, Brunson grounded out to second, Klosowicz walked, and Gordon singled, but Lieto flew out to right.

Volpe worked through some late trouble but sealed it with back-to-back strikeouts, locking up the sweep with a 12-8 win.

Takeaways

  • Penn State scored 36 runs across the three games, with the bats working from just about everyone in the lineup.
  • The Nittany Lions answered every Maryland run with offense of their own and stayed in control of the series from start to finish.
  • Brunson caught fire at the plate with multiple multi-RBI games, Ricks kept finding ways to get on base, and the pitching staff led by Maddie Volpe and Lydia Spalding held it down all weekend. 

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will return home for a three-game series against Washington. The series will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 2.

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About the Author

Ryan McInerney

Ryan is a freshman print journalism student from Yonkers, New York. He loves the New York Rangers and Jayson Tatum. You can probably find him somewhere in the Sbbaro at The HUB and if you want to talk sports or Penn State, dm him on instagram (@ryanmcinerneyy) or shoot him an email ([email protected]).

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