Penn State softball (28-17, 8-10 Big Ten) lost a short and not-so-sweet matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes (23-22, 10-8 Big Ten), 9-0 in five innings. 

How It Happened: 

Allison Oneacre doubled to center field, but had the only Nittany Lion hit of the first inning. The Buckeyes got on the board first, Sami Bewick doubling to right center, scoring Hadley Parisien, who was walked at the prior at-bat. Kiki Estrada then doubled down the right field line, scoring Bewick, and Ohio State grabbed the early 2-0 lead. 

The Nittany Lions were retired in order at the top of the second, and the Buckeye bats stayed hot, Lottie Landmesser hammering a solo homerun to left field. Izzy Neal followed up with a single to right field, and a triple to right center from Parisien sent her home. Taylor Cruse then homered to left center, and the Buckeyes notched four runs on four hits and led 6-0. 

Natalie Lieto walked to start the third inning, and Kaylie Walters singled to left field. Breanna Hanik then walked, and Oneacre reached on a fielder’s choice. Lieto was thrown out at home, and a double play ended the inning for the Nittany Lions, leaving two on base. 

Estrada blasted a shot to left center for the Buckeyes. Reese Cullen singled to left field, and Landmesser swung for Ohio State’s fourth home run of the evening, extending the lead to 9-0. 

Both teams went three up three down in the fourth inning, and the Nittany Lions were retired in the fifth to give the Buckeyes the mercy rule victory, 9-0. 

Takeaways:

• The Nittany Lions were 2-16 at the plate, hitting .125 compared to the Buckeyes .429.
• Penn State used three pitchers throughout the five innings: Abigail Britton, Brevyn Kellepouris, and McKenna Young.
• The Nittany Lions have not won a series since sweeping Maryland at the beginning of the month. 

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will defend home field as they take on Saint Francis on Tuesday, April 21, at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.