Penn State softball (14-3) continued its hot start to the season with a win in the first game of the Tennessee Invitational, but was met with trouble in game two.

N.C. Central (1-14) kept Penn State close for most of the game despite. The Nittany Lions then lost against No. 1-ranked Tennessee (15-1) after giving up a late-game grand slam.

Game 1

Penn State starter Mackenzie Duncan had an easy 1-2-3 inning to start the game, ending the top of the first inning with a strikeout. In the bottom of the first, Michela Barbanente walked and stole second, and Brooke Klosowicz walked. Despite a first and second set up, Penn State was unable to score.

The second inning transpired about the same way as the first inning. Duncan continued her dominance by striking out the side on 12 pitches. In the home half, Cara Bohner and Gabby Gradishar singled, but didn’t come around to score.

Both teams were quiet in the third inning, each going down in order. In the top of the fourth, N.C. Central got its first hit of the game, a single from Tyler Suttles. However, it was unable to capitalize and score a run. In the bottom of the fourth, the Nittany Lions got on the board off of a home run from Macy Chamberlin.

Solo BOMB to dead center from Macy gets us ON THE BOARD!

E4 | PSU 1, NCCU 0#WeAre | #AllIn pic.twitter.com/SPX4SxPTAG

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) February 27, 2026

Duncan once again sent N.C. Central down in order in the top of the fifth inning, and Penn State stayed quiet in the home half.

In the sixth inning, Penn State scored some insurance runs, starting with a leadoff single from Kirsten Finarelli. A walk from Chamberlin set up first-and-second, and Bohner delivered an RBI double. Gradishar then delivered her own RBI double to put the Nittany Lions up by three. Bridget Nemeth then came up for her first at-bat since 2024 and delivered an RBI single. To end the inning, Allison Oneacre continued her hot start to the season with an RBI single to center field. Penn State ended the inning up by six.

In the top of the seventh, Duncan ended the game with another 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout, giving Penn State the 6-0 win.

Game 2

Penn State got a runner on due to an error, but was unable to score to start the game against No. 1 Tennessee. Besides a runner on due to a single by Gabby Leach, Tennessee also started the game relatively quiet.

Both teams went down in order in the second inning, but Abi Britton showed off her stuff striking out the side. In the top of the third, a Barbanente walk was the only thing Penn State was able to muster up.

Tennessee was able to get a couple runners on base in the bottom of the third off Britton. Maddi Rutan singled to Britton, and advanced to second on a sac bunt. Gabby Leach walked, but the Lady Vols weren’t able to capitalize on a run. Britton was able to get Elsa Morrison swinging to end the inning.

In the top of the fourth inning, Oneacre got the Nittany Lions on the board with a home run, her eighth of the season.

ALLISON ONEACRE TAKES TENNESSEE DEEP. NITTANY LIONS LEAD IN THE FOURTH.

T4 | 0 OUTS | PSU 1, TENN 0#WeAre | #AllIn pic.twitter.com/RmAczTeLdy

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) February 27, 2026

Tennessee fought back in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases on two walks and a single. However, Britton was able to get a grounder to third to end the inning without Tennessee tying the game up.

In the bottom of the fifth, Tennessee hit its stride. After allowing singles to Sophia Knight and Morrison and a fielder’s choice to Leach, Kellepouris gave up a grand slam to Ella Dodge. Kellepouris was able to get the next two Lady Vols out to end the inning.

The sixth inning was quiet for both teams, and Penn State had once chance left to get back into the game in the top of the seventh. Klosowicz walked to lead off the inning, but that was it. The final score was 4-1 in Tennessee’s favor.

Takeaways

• N.C. Central was able to hold down a historically impressive Nittany Lions offense for the most part, keeping them to only six runs.
• Mackenzie Duncan may have allowed an earned run in each of her two previous appearances, but she overcame that in game one with a complete game shutout, only allowing two hits. Her nine strikeouts in the game are the most she’s had in her career.
• Penn State showed moments of greatness against Tennessee, but ultimately could not match up with them at the moment. Penn State has yet to etch a win against a ranked team.
• Allison Oneacre continued her hot streak, hitting a home run in game two. Her presence on the team, even just as a freshman, is extremely noticeable.

What’s Next?

Penn State will continue their run in the Tennessee Invitational on Saturday, February 28, starting with a game against Appalachian State before a rematch with Tennessee. The first game is set for 12:30 p.m..