Game 1

The Lady Lions (15-4) split their games in Saturday’s action at the Tennessee Invitational with a 10–5 victory over Appalachian State (13-4) and a 3-1 loss against No.1 Tennessee (17-0). 

Mackenzie Duncan earned the start in the circle and worked a clean first inning. Michela Barbanente singled into center field, and Allison Oneacre homered to right center, giving the Nittany Lions an early 2-0 lead.

Duncan retired the Mountaineers in order in the second, while Appalachian State pitcher Sophie Moshos did the same. Emilie Ching notched a solo homerun for the Mountaineers at the top of the third. Julia Girk then reached on an error, and Makayla McClain singled through the left side to score Girk. Grace Barrett then singled, and a single by Taylor Schafer scored two runs. Brooke Klosowicz homered for the Lady Lions, but they trailed 4-3 heading into the fourth inning. 

Mckenna Young came in to pitch for the Lady Lions, giving up no hits. Kirsten Finarelli blasted a solo home run to left-center. Natalie Lieto was then hit by a pitch, and Cara Bohner followed with a bunt single. A passed ball advanced both runners into scoring position, and Breanna Hanik drew a walk to load the bases. Pinch hitter Gabby Gradishar was then walked to force in a run. Barbanente reached on a fielder’s choice to third, and a throwing error allowed three unearned runs to score. Oneacre added a sacrifice fly to bring home another run before the final two batters flied out. Penn State racked up six fourth-inning runs, the lead now in their favor, 9-4.

Abigail Britton came on to pitch for Penn State in the fifth. McClain singled for App State, and Barrett doubled to bring in App State’s lone run. Hanik doubled into left-center to score Nieto, who also doubled earlier in the inning. Penn State led 10-5. 

Neither team scored in the sixth, though Oneacre and Klosowicz each doubled. 

Brevyn Kellepouris closed out the game for the Nittany Lions, allowing two hits but no runs to secure the 10-5 win.

Game 2

All three Lady Lion batters were retired in the first inning. Tennessee struck first with a single from Sophia Knight, followed by a bunt single from Gabby Leach to put two runners on. Later in the inning, Emma Clarke was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in a run and giving the Lady Volunteers an early 1-0 lead. 

In the top half of the second, Penn State was held scoreless as Karlyn Pickens struck out three batters. Tennessee capitalized after a fielder’s choice, and an error allowed runs to score, extending their lead, 3-0. 

Both teams went down quietly in the third inning. The Nittany Lions were retired in order on two strikeouts and a groundout. 

In the fourth, Brooke Klosowicz drew a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. She advanced to third on a groundout, but a strikeout ended the inning with her stranded. Both teams were held scoreless in the frame.

Penn State notched a run in the top of the fifth. Madison Seidel led off with a single. Breanna Hanik then singled through the left side to drive in Karwowski. The Lady Vols were retired with Bridget Nemeth on the mound, but the Lady Lions still trailed, 3-1. 

In the top of the sixth, Allison Oneacre singled to left-center, but it was Penn State’s lone hit of the inning. The Lady Vols moved two runners into scoring position on a passed ball, but a flyout ended the inning as the score remained, 3-1.  

Penn State’s final chance in the seventh fell short. Hanik moved into scoring position on a wild pitch after being walked, but a strikeout closed out the game, Tennessee securing the 3-1 victory.

Takeaways:

• The Lady Lions had a strong offensive outing against Appalachian State, racking up three home runs and a six-run fourth inning.
• Allison Oneacre now has ten home runs on the season after driving one to right center in game one, a powerful performance from the freshman. 
• Penn State fell to Tennessee twice in this Invitational, leaving them without a win against a ranked team yet this season

What’s Next?

Penn State will close out the Tennessee Invitational on Sunday, March 1, with its final game against N.C. Central at 10 a.m.