Penn State softball (23-12, 4-5 Big Ten) lost to Pitt (18-16, 4-8 ACC) 8-7 in Pittsburgh.

The Nittany Lions were able to come up with another big offensive game and capitalize on Pitt’s errors, but after a long seventh inning with costly pitching mistakes, they found themselves losing.

How It Happened

Breanna Hanik found herself on first base to start the game after being hit by a pitch. Michela Barbanente grounded out, but Brooke Klosowicz continued her hitting from the weekend, following up with an RBI single to score Hanik. Oneacre then flew out to left field, but Klosowicz was able to score on the play after a throwing error by Pitt. Penn State went into the bottom of the first leading by two.

In the Pitt half of the inning, Penn State starter Bridget Nemeth sent the Panthers down in order, including two strikeouts.

In the second inning, Penn State was unable to add to its lead and went down in order. In the bottom of the second, Nemeth had some struggles. Pitt was unable to get on the board, however, due to an unassisted double play started by Klosowicz.

The third inning was quick for both teams, with both Penn State and Pitt getting one runner on but not scoring. In the fourth inning, Penn State added a run after Natalie Lieto doubled to left center field, and then Cara Bohner drove her in with a double of her own. Pitt tried to get back in the game in the bottom of the fourth, but some great defense from Barbanente denied them the opportunity.

The fifth inning was once again quiet for both sides. In the sixth inning, Penn State tacked on another run. Jordan George reached on an error by Pitt’s Tieley Vaughn, and after Lieto and Bohner got the runner to third, Macy Chamberlin hit an RBI single. Penn State was up by four going into the bottom of the sixth.

Pitt got two runs back in the bottom of the sixth on Calle Henne’s second home run of the season, which was a two-run shot to right field. Nemeth stayed in the game and got Gracie Helton to pop up and end the inning.

The Nittany Lions came up big in the seventh inning to separate themselves from Pitt, and it started with Barbanente reaching on a fielding error. Oneacre then got hit by a pitch, and George hit a three-run home run to put Penn State up by five.

In the bottom of the seventh, Brevyn Kellepouris replaced Nemeth, and immediately gave up a solo home run to Camryn Murphy. Kellepouris then allowed a walk and a double, and was promptly replaced by McKenna Young. Young then allowed two RBI singles before getting replaced by Abi Britton. Britton came in and allowed a walk and an RBI single before Nemeth came in again. Nemeth was not as sharp as she was at the beginning of the game, leading to Pitt walking off on a sacrifice fly. Penn State allowed six runs in the seventh inning and lost by a score of 8-7.

Takeaways

• Jordan George had a strong outing, scoring two runs and batting in three after she came into the game in the sixth inning.
• Brooke Klosowicz was another main event on offense and defense — and it was her birthday.
• The Penn State offense continued where they left off in their last series against Rutgers, scoring seven runs and taking advantage of errors by Pitt.
• Pitching was strong until a rollercoaster seventh inning. Penn State went through three pitchers until Bridget Nemeth came back into the game.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions return home to face Maryland in a three-game series from Friday, April 3, to Sunday, April 5. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5 p.m., and can be streamed on Big Ten Plus.