URBANA, Ill. — Penn State softball delivered a commanding performance over the weekend sweeping Illinois in a three-game Big Ten series from Friday through Sunday at Eichelberger Field. The Nittany Lions showcased a complete team effort across all three contests outscoring the Fighting Illini 26-4 while extending their winning streak in the series.
Penn State opened the weekend Friday night with a 6-1 victory, fueled by strong pitching, timely hitting and sharp defense. The Nittany Lions recorded nine hits and blasted a pair of home runs while turning two double plays defensively.
Freshman Breanna Hanik led the way in her home-state return, finishing 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI, a home run and a stolen base. Junior Kaylie Walters added a standout performance, going 3-for-4 while playing a key role in both double plays. Junior Brooke Klosowicz also contributed with a solo home run late in the game.
Penn State jumped out early with two runs in the first inning and never looked back. Hanik’s two-run blast in the fifth extended the lead and Klosowicz added insurance with a home run in the seventh.
In the circle, sophomore Abigail Britton earned the win with four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. Junior McKenna Young and freshman Brevyn Kellepouris combined in relief to limit Illinois to one run and secure the series-opening win.
The Nittany Lions carried that momentum into Saturday, rolling to a 10-0 run-rule victory in six innings behind dominant pitching and another explosive offensive showing.
Hanik continued her strong weekend, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base, while freshman Allison Oneacre delivered a 3-for-4 performance that included her 17th home run of the season. Sophomore Natalie Lieto added an RBI double as part of Penn State’s 11-hit attack.
Penn State struck quickly once again as Hanik launched a two-run homer in the first inning. Oneacre followed with a solo shot in the third to build the lead and the Nittany Lions broke the game open with a six-run sixth inning to seal the run-rule win.
In the circle, Kellepouris and freshman Mackenzie Duncan combined for a shutout, allowing just three hits. Duncan earned the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
Penn State completed the sweep Sunday with a 10-3 victory, capping off a historic offensive weekend that saw the program break multiple single-season records.
Hanik once again led the charge, finishing 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI to cap a dominant series in which she went 7-for-12 with three home runs. Junior Michela Barbanente added a 3-for-4 performance with a double and an RBI, while Walters chipped in two hits.
The Nittany Lions erupted in the fourth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from junior Jordan George that helped build a six-run lead. Hanik later delivered a record-breaking home run in the sixth inning, marking Penn State’s 75th of the season and setting a new program record. Sophomore Macy Chamberlin followed with a solo shot to continue the offensive surge.
In the circle, junior Bridget Nemeth got the start before Young earned the win in relief. The pitching staff combined to limit Illinois and maintain control throughout the finale.
Penn State is now 32-17 on the season and 11-10 in conference play and will host the Nebraska Cornhuskers from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. respectively before Big Ten Tournament play.
