The Penn State softball team secured a series sweep over the Maryland Terrapins on April 4, winning both games of a doubleheader at Nittany Lion Softball Park & Beard Field. Junior Brooke Klosowicz led the way for the Nittany Lions, delivering a standout performance that included going 3-for-3 in game one and hitting a two-run walk-off home run in game two.
The victories are significant for Penn State as they improve their overall record to 26-12 and move to 7-5 in Big Ten Conference play. The results also mark the fourth consecutive year that Penn State has claimed a series win against Maryland, extending their unbeaten streak against the Terrapins to two seasons.
Klosowicz, from Johnsburg, Illinois, finished the day batting .571 across both games with three runs scored and five runs batted in. Her efforts were supported by sophomore Natalie Lieto’s strong offensive showing—she went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a home run—and contributions from teammates Jordan George, Michela Barbanente, and Breanna Hanik. In game one, Penn State used an explosive fourth inning to break open what had been a close contest; they scored thirteen runs on eight hits to secure a run-rule victory at 16-4.
On the pitching side, four different Nittany Lions took turns in the circle throughout Saturday’s games. Freshman Mackenzie Duncan earned her fifth win of the season after shutting down Maryland over nearly four innings in relief during game one. In game two’s pitchers’ duel, Abigail Britton started with four shutout innings before McKenna Young closed out with three scoreless frames for her tenth win this year.
Maryland managed early leads but could not hold off Penn State’s offense or capitalize on opportunities late in either contest. The all-time series now stands at 30-17 in favor of Penn State through forty-seven meetings between these programs.
Looking ahead, Penn State continues its homestand next weekend by hosting Northwestern for another Big Ten matchup from April 10 through April 12.
