Penn State softball (33-20, 12-13 Big Ten) beat Northwestern (29-21, 16-9 Big Ten) 11-5 in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament at Maryland Softball Stadium on Wednesday night.

After falling behind 4-0 early, the Nittany Lions were led by a powerful offensive effort, with four home runs paving the way for a comeback victory.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions were sent down in order in the top of the first, with Wildcat pitcher Marina Mason striking out two.

Abigail Britton started the game in the pitching circle for Penn State. She walked two of her first four batters before allowing a two-out, three-run home run to Birdget Donahey to give Northwestern an early lead.

Natalie Lieto was the first batter to reach a base for the Nittany Lions. She and Frankee Flesher were both left stranded after two consecutive outs ended the top of the second.

A leadoff homer hit by Izzy Cunnea ended Britton’s day in the circle. Brevyn Kellepouris took over pitching duties and promptly struck out her first batter. Despite allowing a walk, Kellepouris got the remaining two outs quickly to end the second with Northwestern leading 4-0.

Gabby Gradishar singled to lead off the third. After two strikeouts, Breanna Hanik hit a bomb to get Penn State on the scoreboard and cut the Wildcat lead in half. A Brooke Klosowicz double, followed by a single by Lieto, put runners on the corners. The Nittany Lions couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity, as Lieto was caught stealing to end the top half of the inning.

Despite allowing two singles, Kellepouris kept Northwestern off the board in the third to keep the game at 4-2.

A leadoff single by Jordan George paved the way for a Gradishar two-run shot to tie the game in the top of the fourth.

Northwestern retook the lead following a double and single, leading to a fielder’s choice scoring the Wildcat’s fifth run.

After Hanik singled, Lieto hit a two-run home run with two outs to give Penn State its first lead of the game in the top of the fifth.

McKenna Young stepped into the game to pitch for the Nittany Lions in the bottom of the fifth. Despite promptly allowing two hits to start her outing, Young got out of the inning with a big strikeout to preserve the Penn State lead.

Barbanente led off the top of the sixth with a walk. A home run hit by Madison Seidel scored two to make it 8-5. Gradishar drew a walk. Kaylie Walters followed it up by reaching on a fielder’s choice, then a pitch hit Allison Oneacre.

Hanik singled, scoring Walters before a fielding error, allowing Klosowicz to reach first to load the bases. A Lieto single scored another run for Penn State. Barbanente walked to give the Nittany Lions their fifth and final run in the top of the sixth to make it 11-5.

Young struck out two in a scoreless bottom of the sixth.

Penn State couldn’t mount much offense at the top of the seventh, and it remained 11-5.

Facing elimination, Donahey drew a walk with two outs before Kelsey Nader doubled to put two runners in scoring position for the Wildcats. A flyout to Klosowicz in right field ended the game with an 11-5 final score.

Takeaways

• The Nittany Lions raked. They hit four home runs in the come-from-behind effort to beat Northwestern for the first time all year, after getting swept by the Wildcats in the regular season.
• Brevyn Kellepouris was great in the pitching circle for Penn State. She went three innings while only allowing one run to keep the Nittany Lions in the game after falling behind early.
• Breanna Hanik was excellent at the plate. She tallied three hits, including a home run with three RBIs.

What’s Next?

With the win, the Nittany Lions advance to the Big Ten Quarterfinals. They will play the No. 3-seeded UCLA Bruins on Thursday, May 7, at Maryland Softball Stadium in College Park, Maryland. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.