Penn State softball (26-15, 7-8 Big Ten) dropped the final game of its series against Northwestern (20-19, 8-7 Big Ten) 17-3 at Nittany Lion Softball Park & Beard Field Sunday afternoon.

After taking the lead early, the Nittany Lions conceded seven unanswered runs, a deficit they couldn’t overcome before getting mercy-ruled in the sixth inning.

How It Happened

Abigail Britton started the game in the pitching circle for the Nittany Lions. She got out of the first inning quickly, only allowing one hit and no runs.

Brooke Klosowicz hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the first. She was brought home with a double by Breanna Hanik to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead through the opening inning.

Britton made quick work of the Wildcats at the top of the second, getting the side out in order to keep Penn State’s lead.

Despite a leadoff walk by Frankee Flesher, the Nittany Lions couldn’t bring her home, and the game moved on.

Britton again retired the side quickly, striking out two of three batters in the third. The performance was matched by Wildcat pitcher Marian Mason, who also didn’t allow a baserunner in the inning.

Northwestern’s offense arrived in the fourth inning. Back-to-back home runs followed up a leadoff single to give the Wildcats a 3-1 lead. Britton was pulled halfway through the inning in favor of McKenna Young, who stranded two runners to get out of the inning.

Penn State didn’t respond in the bottom of the inning, and the game remained 3-1.

After another Wildcat home run and single, Brevyn Kellepouris replaced Young. A double and a single for Northwestern continued the onslaught of runs, making it 7-1 through the top of the fifth.

Klosowicz hit a sacrifice fly that was preceded by three consecutive walks to get a run back for the Nittany Lions and make it 7-2.

Mackenzie Duncan took over pitching duties midway through the top of the sixth, after Kellepouris allowed a walk and a single in her first three batters faced in the inning. After facing six batters and allowing five runs, Bridget Nemeth filled in for Duncan. Nemeth got out of the inning, but not before three more runs were batted in, making it 17-2.

Even with an RBI single by Oneacre, the Nittany Lions couldn’t get within the eight-run threshold before the end of the sixth, leading to the game being cut short with a 17-3 final score in six innings.

Takeaways

• After getting on the board first, the Nittany Lions allowed seven unanswered runs, creating a deficit they couldn’t overcome
• The Wildcats dominated offensively, tallying 15 hits to the Nittany Lions’ five.
• This game marks the second time Penn State has been swept in a conference series this year, as the Nittany Lions fall below .500 in Big Ten play.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will look to get back in the win column when they take on Bucknell on Tuesday, April 14. The game is set to start at 6 p.m. at Nittany Lion Softball Park & Beard Field. The game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.