Penn State softball (28-16, 8-9 Big Ten) beat Ohio State (22-22, 9-8) 15-7 at Buckeye Field in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday evening.

The Nittany Lions were down for much of the contest before a 10-run sixth inning catapulted them out in front, allowing them to take the game by mercy rule in six innings.

How It Happened

Brooke Klosowicz was the only Nittany Lion to get on base in the top of the first, as the side was retired before she could advance past first base.

A two-run home run by Abbie Wilhelm followed a leadoff walk. After a strikeout by Bridget Nemeth, Sami Bewick hit a double and Kiki Estrada singled. Bewick stole home on a double steal attempt by her and Kiki Estrada, with both being safe to make it 3-0 Buckeyes through one.

Each team drew a walk in the second inning, with that being the only offensive action for either side.

Natalie Lieto led off the third by being hit by a pitch. A single by Allison Oneacre preceded a three-run shot by Klosowicz to tie the game.

Ohio State gained its lead back with a leadoff homer by Taylor Cruse. Nemeth was pulled in favor of Mackenzie Duncan following a single by Bewick. Duncan walked the first batter she saw before getting three straight outs to escape the inning.

In the top of the fourth, Nemeth had an at-bat before her day was over. She struck out, leading to a Michela Barbanente single before Macy Chamberlin walked. Both runners were left stranded after two straight outs.

Skylar Limon and Hadley Parisien both reached to kick off the bottom of the fourth. Cruse doubled, bringing both of them home. Cruse reached home herself when Bewick singled, the next at-bat. Brevyn Kellepouris checked in for Duncan after and ended the inning with two quick outs.

Oneacre closed in on the Buckeye lead with a leadoff blast to center field, making the game 7-4. Frankee Flesher singled after two consecutive groundouts. She advanced to second following a throwing error and scored on a single by Barbanente.

After allowing the bases to become loaded with two singles and an intentional walk, Kellepouris was taken out of the game in favor of McKenna Young, who promptly got out of the inning to keep the score at 7-5.

Lieto hit a bomb to start the inning. Breanna Hanik doubled and a Oneacre hit two-run shot to give Penn State the lead. Klosowicz reached on a throwing error before Gabby Gradishar doubled and Flesher walked. Jordan George also walked, bringing in another run.

Barbanente hit a sacrifice fly for the first out of the inning to make it 10-7. Chamberlin singled to bring in the sixth run of the inning. Lieto and Hanik both reached on Buckeye errors during their second at-bats of the inning. Klosowicz singled to bring in the tenth and final run of a dominant sixth frame for Penn State.

Now down eight, Ohio State faced the mercy rule in the bottom of the sixth. Two singles and a throwing error allowed two runners in scoring position with no outs. Young struck out the final batter to end the inning and the game at 15-7.

Takeaways

• Allison Oneacre continued to show her power against the Buckeyes. She hit two home runs to spark Penn State’s comeback.
• Brooke Kloswicz was also a clear difference-maker for Penn State. She led the team with five RBI’s and a home run.
• Defense was a huge problem for the Buckeyes. While both teams tallied 12 hits, Ohio State had five errors, three of them coming in the sixth inning.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will look to take the series against the Buckeyes in the finale on Sunday, April 19. The game is slated to start at 4 p.m. at Buckeye Field in Columbus, Ohio, and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.