Penn State softball (4-1, 0-0 Big Ten) fell to Auburn (4-2, 0-0 SEC) 4-3 in seven innings at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.

After trading punches late into the ballgame, Penn State’s defense fell short when it mattered most, allowing Auburn to steal a victory and end the Nittany Lions undefeated tournament run.

How It Happened

Lead-off hitter Kaylie Walters reached base after her bunt caused a throwing error, but the next three Penn State batters were all retired.

The Tigers had a similar trope in their first at-bat, with Kylie Shaw doubling to left field, but she was stranded after the next three batters failed to reach.

Penn State’s offense went three up, three down, sending Auburn back to the plate. McKaela Walker got plunked, putting a runner on first for Kylie Brockman, who doubled down the left field line. With runners on second and third, Kyla Stroud flew out to right field, allowing Walker to score and give Auburn a 1-0 lead.

Neither offense saw success in the third and fourth innings, but at the top of the fifth, Penn State came to life. Natalie Lieto drew a lead-off walk, and Madison Seidel’s bunt caused an errant throw from the fielder. Then, Seidel stole second base, placing runners on second and third with no outs. After Cara Bohner struck out, Breanna Hanik singled to shortstop, plating Lieto to knot it up at 1-1. Hanik quickly stole second and moved to third on a fielder’s choice by Brooke Klosowicz, which saw Seidel thrown out at home, ultimately ending the inning.

Auburn didn’t blink as Shaw reached on a bunt and was plated by a center field double from Destiny Rodriguez to put the Tigers back on top with a 2-1 lead.

The Nittany Lions landed another punch in the form of Lieto’s home run that scored two, giving Penn State a 3-2 lead. But Auburn remained in hot pursuit after Haven Roebuck cranked a lead-off double to right field against Bridget Nemeth, who had just entered the game in relief of Mackenzie Duncan. Then, Brockman singled to right, plating Roebuck to tie it at 3-3. Stroud reached on a Penn State fielding error, placing runners on first and second with just one out, but Nemeth struck out the next two batters she faced to get out of the jam.

At the top of the seventh, Hanik reached on a single, but the next three batters failed to reach, sending Auburn back to the plate in control of their destiny.

Ma’Nia Womack drew a lead-off walk and moved to second on a single from Rodriguez. AnnaLea Adams reached on a fielder’s choice that saw Womack thrown out at third. Roebuck struck out, but Seidel couldn’t corral the pitch, moving runners to second and third with two outs. One out away from going to extra innings, Penn State’s defense folded under pressure, allowing Walker to reach on a throwing error, which allowed Rodriguez to crash home from third for the winning run.

Takeaways

• Despite the loss, Mackenzie Duncan’s relief effort was impressive. Although the freshman allowed three hits and a run, she struck out six batters, marking a solid 1.40 ERA. Her ability to create outs was crucial in keeping Penn State within striking distance.
• Penn State’s offense struggled today, logging just five hits in 27 at-bats. It’s no surprise that their total of three runs today is their lowest run total of the young season.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will head south next weekend for a five-game tournament at the Houston Invitational. Their first game is against Incarnate World on Friday, February 13, at 2 p.m.