Penn State softball (16-4) mercy ruled N.C. Central in the final game of the Tennessee Invitational, scoring 14 runs in five innings. Starter McKenna Young threw a no-hitter, which was only the 16th in Penn State softball history.

After two losses to No. 1-ranked Tennessee in the Invite, Penn State got on the board early in this one, and kept its stride throughout the entire game.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions took control early in the top of the first inning, starting with a single from Allison Oneacre. Immediately after, Brooke Klosowicz hit her eighth home run of the year, giving Penn State an early 2-0 lead. After Kirsten Finarelli walked, Gabby Gradishar hit an RBI double, and the top of the inning ended with a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, McKenna Young struck out the side.

In the second inning, it was once again all Penn State. To lead off the inning, Natalie Lieto hit a solo home run to left center field, followed by a single from Kaylie Walters. After Walters stole second and advanced to third on an error, she scored on a single from Oneacre. After a Klosowicz walk, Finarelli doubled, scoring Oneacre and Macy Chamberlin singled, scored Klosowicz. Coming back around in the batting order, Lieto hit a two-RBI double, putting the Nittany Lions up 10-0. In the bottom of the second, Young sent N.C. Central down in order again.

Batted AROUND… AND THEN SOME. How 'bout a seven-run inning for your Nittany Lion offense?!?!

M2 | PSU 10, NCCU 0#WeAre | #AllIn pic.twitter.com/ilFxFzVWue

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) March 1, 2026

In the bottom of the third, Jordyn Jochims walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a groundout. Then, Bridget Nemeth came in to pinch hit for Finarelli, and immediately hit an RBI double. After, both Chamberlin and Gradishar walked, before Cara Bohner hit a two-RBI double to put the Nittany Lions ahead 13-0. Then, Young sent N.C. Central down in order once again.

Only one run on the board for Penn State in the top of the fourth, and it came off of a Oneacre ground out. Young once again retired the side in order, including a strikeout.

In the top of the fifth, N.C. Central got out of the inning clean for the first time in the game. In the bottom of the inning, N.C. Central found their first baserunner after Isabella Slape reached on a passed ball. However, it wasn’t nearly enough to defeat the Nittany Lions, who won 14-0.

Takeaways

• After a rough game against Tennessee, the Penn State offense made a statement in this game.
• McKenna Young had her best start of the season, throwing the 16th no-hitter in Penn State softball history.
• The team worked together in harmony, with both pitching and hitting making impressive strides.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will be back on the road next week at the Hokie Invite in Salem, Virginia from March 6-8. The first game against Radford will be on Friday, March 6, with first pitch at 1 p.m..