Penn State softball (30-17, 9-10 Big Ten) beat Illinois (14-34, 3-15 Big Ten) 6-1 at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Illinois, on Friday night.

The Nittany Lions were led by a big day by Breanna Hanik, who had two hits, with one of them being a two-run home run. Penn State’s pitchers also had a dominant day in the pitching circle.

How It Happened

Kaylie Walters singled for the Nittany Lions to lead off the game. Allison Oneacre followed it up with a single of her own. The bases became loaded after Brooke Klosowicz reached on an Illinois error. A wild pitch brought in Walters to open up scoring.

Gabby Gradishar singled to bring in Oneacre, but Klosowicz was called out at home plate. The top of the first ended with Penn State up 2-0 after Natalie Lieto grounded out.

Abigail Britton took on the pitcher’s circle for Penn State in the bottom of the first. She walked her second batter but got out of the inning with two quick outs.

The Nittany Lions went three-up-three-down at the top of the second to keep it at 2-0. Illinois didn’t do much better offensively, again drawing a walk but being unable to advance the runner.

Oneacre led off the third by drawing a walk. Breanna Hanik reached on a successful bunt, and a Michela Barbanente walk loaded the bases. A Lieto groundout ended the inning, stranding all three runners.

Adisyn Caryl doubled for the first hit of the game for the Fighting Illini in the bottom of the third. She was left at second after a flyout ended the inning.

A second Walters single was the only hit for Penn State in the top of the fourth, as the game remained 2-0.

Britton made an error at the bottom of the fourth, allowing a runner to get on base. She bounced back and got out of the inning while keeping the shutout alive.

Klosowicz reached on an error to begin the fifth. Hanik followed it up with a two-run blast to make it 4-0. Three straight outs for Illinois pitcher Danika Frazier ended the inning.

McKenna Young relieved Britton of her pitching duties in the fifth. She struck out and walked one runner each in a scoreless bottom of the inning.

Walters singled for the third time in the top of the sixth, but she didn’t advance before the end of the half-inning.

Eileen Donahue hit a leadoff homer to get the Illini on the board. It was followed up by a single by Ellie Haggard. Young forced a double play and a foul out to keep Penn State’s lead at three.

Klosowicz homered to kick off the seventh and final inning. Hanik walked, and Gradishar beat out a fielder’s choice to put two runners on with no outs. They both advanced into scoring position with a double steal. A Macy Chamberlin sacrifice fly made it 6-1 before the end of the inning.

Brevyn Kellepouris came into the game to pitch in the bottom of the seventh. After recording two quick outs, a Taylor Porter single kept Illinois alive. Kellepouris stranded the runner to seal the 6-1 win for Penn State.

Takeaways

• Abigail Britton had a great day starting on the rubber. She went four scoreless innings in the winning effort.
• Breanna Hanik and Kaylie Walters paved the way offensively for Penn State. They combined for five hits on the evening.
• The Nittany Lions had a good day hitting with runners on base, going five for 17 compared to a zero for 10 donut for Illinois.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will look to keep things rolling in the second game of their series against Illinois. It takes place Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m. at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Illinois. The contest will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.