Penn State softball lost a close game to Ohio State, 4-3, in the opening matchup of their three-game series on April 17 at Buckeye Field.
The game was significant for both teams as it impacted their standings within the Big Ten Conference. Penn State dropped to an overall record of 27-16 and a conference record of 7-9, while Ohio State improved to 22-11 overall and 9-7 in league play.
Junior right fielder Frankee Flesher led Penn State with her second career multi-hit performance, going two-for-three with an RBI and a walk. Freshman infielder Allison Oneacre and senior catcher Madison Seidel also contributed singles. All three Nittany Lion RBIs came from walks or hit-by-pitch situations, with sophomore center fielder Natalie Lieto joining Flesher and Seidel in driving in runs.
On the pitching side, junior right-hander McKenna Young started for Penn State and pitched four innings, allowing two hits and one earned run while striking out three batters. Freshman left-hander Brevyn Kellepouris pitched two-thirds of an inning before sophomore Abigail Britton finished the final two innings. Britton took the loss for Penn State.
The Nittany Lions scored all three of their runs in the first inning after taking advantage of errors by Ohio State’s defense. However, Ohio State responded with runs in the third and fourth innings before winning on a walk-off single that brought home two runners in the bottom of the seventh.
This result marked Ohio State’s 67th win over Penn State since their series began in 1975. The teams will continue their series on Saturday at Buckeye Field.
