Penn State softball (32-17, 11-10 Big Ten) dominated Illinois (14-36, 3-17 Big Ten) in the last game of a three-game series. Illinois continued its scoring troubles, while Penn State had two strong innings to put them ahead in the game.

How It Happened

Breanna Hanik got the game started with a single to short and advanced to second on a groundout from Allison Oneacre. Brooke Klosowicz then singled to center to score Hanik, putting Penn State up 1-0 early. In the bottom of the inning, Bridget Nemeth hit an Illinois batter, but got the other three batters out to end the inning.

Besides walks from Natalie Lieto and Oneacre, Penn State bats were quiet in the second and third innings.

Penn State exploded in the fourth inning, scoring five runs. Macy Chamberlin started off the inning reaching first on an Illinois fielding error, and Gabby Gradishar followed with a single. After Lieto’s walk, pinch runner Kalli Karwowski scored on a wild pitch, marking the first run of the inning.

Michela Barbanente then doubled to right field, which scored one run. Penn State got its big moment off of Jordan George’s three-run home run, which put Penn State up by five runs.

JORDAN GEORGE WITH A MOONSHOT. TEAM SINGLE-SEASON HR RECORD TIED7⃣4⃣

T4 | 1 OUT | PSU 6, ILL 0#WeAre | #AllIn pic.twitter.com/VbNyEOiJUa

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 26, 2026

Nemeth allowed her first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth, when Eileen Donahue hit a solo home run. After getting an out, Nemeth was replaced by Mackenzie Duncan, who immediately hit a batter and allowed a single. Besides those two baserunners, Duncan got out of the inning clean.

After a quiet fifth inning, the Penn State bats exploded again in the sixth inning. Barbanente and Walters led off the inning with singles, and Hanik set the team single-season home run record with her three-run home run. Chamberlin added on to the record with a home run of her own, putting Penn State up 10-1.

HOME RUN NUMBER 7⃣5⃣
THE PENN STATE RECORD.

T6 | 0 OUTS | PSU 9, ILL 1#WeAre | #AllIn pic.twitter.com/sXiajApJ1n

— Penn State Softball (@PennStateSB) April 26, 2026

In the bottom of the sixth, Illinois got a run back after Ellie Haggard singled to left and scored on an RBI double from Keirys Click. Then, Gabrielle Debevec singled to score Click. McKenna Young came in to relieve Duncan and was able to get three outs to end the inning.

Penn State got two hits in the top of the seventh, but was unable to add on to its run total. Abi Britton allowed a walk, but sent down three batters to end the game, securing a 10-3 win for Penn State.

Takeaways

• Penn State broke its team single-season home run record in the sixth inning on Breanna Hanik’s three-run shot. It was the team’s 75th home run of the season.
• The Penn State bats exploded in the fourth and sixth innings, totaling nine runs between the two innings.
• The Nittany Lions will look to stay above .500 against Big Ten teams next weekend, as the season ends and the Big Ten Tournament looms.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will return home for their final regular-season series of the year. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. on May 1. Folks can follow along on BTN+.