Penn State softball (31-17, 10-10 Big Ten) cruised to a 10–0 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini (14-35, 3-16 Big Ten) in six innings on Saturday.

How It Happened

Kaylie Walters was walked to start the second game of the series. Breanna Hanik then smashed a home run to give the Nittany Lions an early 2-0 lead. Allison Oneacre followed up with a single, but was out due to a double play at the following at-bat.

Macy Chamberlin and Gabby Gradishar walked back-to-back, and Natalie Lieto was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Nittany Lions scored two runs and had two hits in the inning, but left three on base. Brevyn Kellepouris struck out the Fighting Illini in order to keep her team’s 2-0 lead. 

The Nittany Lions were retired in order by Illinois pitcher Karley Yeager. Ellie Haggard had the lone hit in the second inning, but was left on base as the Illini still trailed. 

Oneacre kicked off the third inning with a home run to stretch the lead to 3-0. Gradishar then singled through the left side, but was left stranded. Ava Moore singled up the middle for Illinois, and a Penn State fielding error put two on for the Fighting Illini. Mackenzie Duncan was able to save the inning in the circle, preserving the Nittany Lions’ three-run lead. 

Cara Bohner reached first on an error, and Michela Barbanente was hit by a pitch to give the Nittany Lions two base runners with no outs. Hanik then reached on a fielder’s choice, but Frankie Flesher, who pinch ran for Bohner, was out at third. Oneacre reached first on an infield error, allowing Barbanente to score and extending the Nittany Lion lead to 4-0. Jackie Yeager recorded a double for Illinois, but the team remained scoreless through four innings. 

Both Abby Sabalaskey and Mackenzie Duncan pitched no-hit innings, keeping score 4-0 in favor of the Nittany Lions. 

The Nittany Lion bats exploded in the sixth inning, racking up six runs on seven hits. Barbanente singled to right field, and Walters had a sacrifice bunt to advance her to second. Hanik then singled up the middle, and a Oneacre single scored Barbanente. Brooke Klosowicz reached first on an error, and Chamberlin singled to center field to score Oneacre.

Jordan George then singled, allowing Klosowicz to touch home. Pinch runner Kalli Karwowski scored on a passed ball. Lieto doubled into right center to score pinch runner Gradishar, and Flesher singled to send Lieto home.

The Nittany Lions took a commanding 10-0 lead after a strong inning of solid contact and base running. Duncan stayed dominant on the mound with another three-up, three-down inning, and the Nittany Lions took the victory in game two of a three-game series, 10-0 in six innings. 

Takeaways:

• The Nittany Lions hit .379 (11-29) with two home runs and eight RBIs. 
• Penn State has developed a pattern of erupting in a single inning for multiple runs. 
• Kellepouris and Duncan held Illinois to just three hits and no walks. 

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will look to sweep Illinois in the final game of their three-game series at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 26. This game will be streamed on BTN+.