Penn State softball had a dominant weekend in the Sunshine State.

The 5-0 weekend in the Space U Classic was Penn State’s first since 2024. Its record now sits at 13-2, tying the second-best start in Penn State softball history, and its ninth consecutive win.

Game One

On the Nittany Lions’ first at-bat, Allison Oneacre drove a double into the right side, while Kirsten Finarelli was able to drive a hard hit up the middle for a double just after. Oneacre rounded the bases and was able to give Penn State the 1-0 lead early on. In the bottom of the first inning, center fielder Blakely Kingsmore hit a single and was able to steal second base a few seconds later. Charleston Southern had two runners on and one out, and Kingsmore was able to drive in. An error from Penn State shortstop Kaylie Walters gave Charleston Southern the 3-1 lead. Charleston Southern was not able to add any more runs during the first inning.

At the start of the second inning, Penn State was able to get itself back in the game when a single from Breanna Hanik and a walk from Walters allowed Hanik to get to third base. After that, Oneacre was able to bring Hanik home, and the Nittany Lions added another run to make it 3-2.

At the beginning of the third inning, Brooke Klosowicz hit a single up the left side. Shortly after, left fielder Michela Barbanente reached on a fielder’s choice error. Due to a muffed catch by a Buccaneers second baseman, Klosowicz was permitted to stay on base. Macy Chamberlin got on base due to a walk, and the Nittany Lions were able to load the bases. Catcher Madson Siedel was able to double down the right field line, bringing two runners around the bases for Penn State. The Nittany Lions were able to load the bases once again quickly, and Oneacre recorded a single, allowing another pair of Nittany Lions to add to their lead. The final score after the third inning was 8-3 Penn State.

Penn State pitcher Mackenzie Duncan secured two strikeouts in the fourth inning. Neither team was able to add any more runs in the inning, as Penn State maintained its five-run lead going into the fifth.

To begin the fifth inning, Barbanente headed to the plate and drove a double off the wall into left field. With a pair of runners on the left side, Chamberlin grounded out, plating a run for the Nittany Lions. They were able to add another run with a double from Siedel, giving the Nittany Lions a 10-3 lead. Duncan was able to secure Penn State the victory, finishing with eight strikeouts.

Game Two

The Nittany Lions were not able to get on the scoreboard until the third inning, when Walters was walked, and a groundout allowed her to steal second. Oneacre lifted a fly ball that was misjudged by a UCF outfielder, allowing Walters to circle in on home plate and add the first run of the game. Penn State took the lead 1-0 over the Knights.

To top off the fourth inning, Klosowicz sailed a home run over the fence, putting the Nittany Lions up 2-0.

In the sixth inning, Penn State added another home run from Barbanente, who drove a shot into left-center that bounced just over the wall. The Nittany Lions led 3-0.

Penn State grabbed another run in the seventh inning after Cara Bohner smacked a double into the right center. Walters was able to get a bunt to allow Kalli Karwowski to advance, and an RBI from Natalie Lieto brought Karwowski in for the score. A muffed ball from a UCF right fielder allowed another run for Penn State, and placed Finarelli on third. After a pitching change for the Knights, Klosowicz recorded a double, bringing Finarelli to home plate and giving the Nittany Lions a 6-0 lead.

The Knights were close to completing the comeback in the seventh inning. Penn State completed a pitching change after sophomore pitcher Abigail Britton gave up three runs, bringing in junior Bridget Nemeth in her place. Nemeth walked the first batter for UCF, and head coach Clarisa Crowell decided to change pitchers once again with the bases loaded for the Knights. Freshman Breyvn Kellepouris took the field once again. UCF’s Beth Damon was able to add a single, which gave the Knights two more runs and put them one score away from tying the game. Kellepouris was able to hold out with a strikeout and secure the 6-5 win for Penn State.

Game Three

Penn State began the game scoring three runs in the first inning against Ohio University. Finarelli smacked a two-run home run over the fence, giving the Nittany Lions a 3-0 lead.

The Nittany Lions added another in the top of the second inning, with Hanik hitting a single to center field and stealing second during the following at-bat. A groundout brought Hanik to third, and Lieto placed a fly to right-center, which allowed Hanik to run home. The Nittany Lions led 4-0. Penn State pitcher Abigail Britton recorded three strikeouts in the second inning to secure the lead.

In the third inning, Britton gave up multiple walks while Ohio had runners on first and second. Ohio’s Breanna Farmer drove a single to left center, resulting in a run for Ohio and cutting the Nittany Lions’ lead to 4-1. Britton finished out strong and prevented Ohio from adding any more.

Penn State added another run in the fifth inning with an RBI single from Siegel, putting the Nittany Lions up 5-1. Shortly after, freshman Gabby Gradishar scored her first collegiate home run. At the bottom of the fifth, the Nittany Lions held a 7-1 lead.

Penn State’s offense skyrocketed in the sixth inning, adding nine runs in just one inning. The Nittany Lions dominated completely, beating Ohio by a score of 16-1.

Game Four

After the bottom of the first inning was scoreless, the Nittany Lions’ hot offense came alive again against Notre Dame. Oneacre added a two-run home run, her seventh of the year, giving Penn State the 2-0 lead early on.

Notre Dame took advantage of Penn State’s errors in the second inning. Caroline O’Brien plated after a double from Kaia Cortes. Quickly after, a throwing error from Penn State allowed Cortes to score from second, tying the game at two.

Penn State responded quickly in the bottom of the second inning, loading the bases after three straight singles. A single from Walters allowed Chamberlin to score and give the Nittany Lions the lead once again. Oneacre was able to draw a walk, allowing Hanik to add another run for the Nittany Lions. Notre Dame decided to change pitchers, but Barbanente still added a double that allowed for two more runs for the Nittany Lions. Chamberlin was able to get a walk to load the bases for Penn State again, and Bohner added an RBI walk that allowed Klosowicz another run. Penn State’s offense dominated the second inning, leading 8-2.

Walters added a walk to start the third inning, and Lieto drove a single that put two runners on. Oneacre grounded out, but still was able to get both runners into a scoring position. Klosowicz bunted, which resulted in another run for Penn State and moved Lieto to third. Barbanente added an RBI single, which allowed Lieto to get a run, and Klosowicz followed up with her own. The Nittany Lions led 11-2 after yet another dominant inning.

The Nittany Lions added three runs off of three hits in the fourth inning, extending their lead to 14-2. They held off Notre Dame for the rest of the game, securing their 12th win of the season and fourth win of the SpaceU Classic.

Game Five

Taking on Charleston Southern again after a 10-3 win on Friday, Penn State added its first score after three straight walks left the bases loaded. Finarelli was able to add the opening run for the Nittany Lions, giving them a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

Pitcher Bridget Nemeth was stellar for the Nittany Lions, with three strikeouts in the first four innings, and allowing just one hit.

A mishap from the Buccaneers allowed Bohner to reach first base, and a bunt allowed her to get to second. Oneacre hit a double into the corner, adding two runs for Penn State. Klosowicz added a single, but Oneacre was thrown out at home in her scoring attempt. Barbanente added an RBI single, allowing Klosowicz to score as well. Grabishar extended the lead with an RBI double that brought Barbanente home. The Nittany Lions took the lead 5-0 after a high-scoring fourth inning.

Nemeth was strong again in the fifth. Another error from a Buccaneer at second base allowed Walters to score another after a stolen base from Lieto. A sac-fly from Oneacre gave the Nittany Lions the 7-0 lead.

Kellepouris entered the game for the last two innings to close out the game, and Penn State was able to pitch the shutout. The Nittany Lions won all five of their games at the SpaceU Classic in Orlando and added their ninth straight win of the season.

Takeaways

• Penn State’s offense was on fire, outscoring its opponents 53-11 during their trip to Florida.
• Freshman Gabby Gradishar added her first collegiate home run against Ohio, as well as a 4 RBI performance.
• Bridget Nemeth allowed just one hit in five innings on Sunday, while Penn State secured its second shutout of the season.

What’s Next?

Penn State will have its final weekend of season-opening travel next Friday, as it heads to the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Nittany Lions will play two games against the No. 1 Tennessee Lady Volunteers and the N.C. Central Eagles, as well as a single game against the Appalachian State Mountaineers. The games will be played from Friday, February 27, to Sunday, March 1, and will be streamed live on SEC Network+ as well as on the ESPN app.