UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State Nittany Lions hosted Maryland for a three-game series this weekend, opening with a single game on Friday before playing a doubleheader on Saturday. Penn State came out on top in all three matchups, finishing off the weekend with a series sweep over the Terrapins.
Penn State hit five home runs in Friday’s game, setting a new season high for home runs in a single game. The Nittany Lions also put up eight runs in the third inning alone. They finished with 13 runs on just eight hits, marking the 11th time this season they’ve scored in double figures and improved to 11-0 in those games.
Maryland got on the board first in the top of the second, using a string of singles from Zayda Rocke, Caroline Fox and Jaylee Williams to plate the opening run. After Caitlyn Cornwell loaded the bases, Bailey Murphy added another with a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Penn State responded in the bottom half of the inning as Michela Barbanete drew an RBI walk to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into the third.
Williams added another RBI single to extend Maryland’s lead to 3-1 heading into the bottom of the third. That’s when Penn State’s offense broke through, starting with a Oneacre single. George reached on an error, with Karwowski entering to run and Bohner followed with a walk to set the stage. Gradishar then delivered the big blow, launching her first collegiate grand slam to put Penn State in front.
After a pitching change, Seidel drew a walk before Hanik added a two-run homer. Klosowicz later worked another walk and Oneacre capped the inning with a two-run shot as Penn State scored eight runs on three home runs in the frame to take a 9-3 lead.
After a leadoff out, Woods singled and later scored alongside another runner on a two-run double by Benson to cut the deficit to 9-5. Penn State answered in the bottom half as Gradishar and Seidel drew walks before Hanik launched her second home run of the game to add three runs. Barbanente followed with a solo shot after an eight-pitch at-bat, capping the scoring as Penn State extended its lead to 13-5 after four which would be the final score of Friday game giving the Nittany Lions the win.
The second game of the series and first of Saturday’s doubleheader followed a similar script to Friday. Maryland scored two runs on three hits in the first to take an early 2-0 lead but Penn State quickly answered as Hanik delivered a two-RBI single to tie the game at 2-2 by the end of the inning.
In the second inning, Maryland added two more runs on a Penta double to take a 4-2 lead. Penn State responded in the bottom half as Oneacre singled driving in Klosowicz to cut the deficit to 4-3 after two innings.
The Nittany Lions went on a 13-run tear in the fourth inning fueled by eight hits and four walks. Barbanente tripled, George and Seidel each doubled and Lieto added a two-run home run to contribute to the big frame. Penn State would then take this game with a score of 16-4.
The second game of the doubleheader and final matchup of the series was a defensive battle with no runs until the bottom of the seventh. Klosowicz delivered a two-run walk-off home run giving Penn State the win and completing the series sweep.
Penn State softball continues its homestand next weekend at Nittany Lion Softball Park & Beard Field hosting Northwestern from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12. First pitch on Friday is set for 5 p.m., followed by a 2 p.m. start on Saturday and an 11:30 a.m. matchup on Sunday. The Nittany Lions are now 26-12 overall and 7-5 in Big Ten play.
