Penn State softball lost its series-opening game against the Northwestern Wildcats by a score of 8-2 at Nittany Lion Softball Park & Beard Field on April 10.
The result marks a setback for Penn State as it continues its Big Ten Conference schedule. The team now holds an overall record of 26-13 and a conference record of 7-6, while Northwestern improved to 18-19 overall and 6-7 in conference play.
Sophomore center fielder Natalie Lieto hit the only extra-base hit for Penn State, launching her eighth home run of the season in the fifth inning. Lieto surpassed her previous single-season career-high and extended her reached-base streak to eleven consecutive games. “Lieto has been a consistent contributor for the Nittany Lions this season to date, ranking third on the team in home runs while hitting to the tune of a .350 batting average,” according to the team’s report. Other offensive highlights included sophomore catcher Macy Chamberlin’s pinch-hit single and junior designated player Brooke Klosowicz drawing two walks, which extended her own reached-base streak to thirteen straight games.
On the pitching side, junior right-hander McKenna Young started for Penn State but took the loss after pitching just under three innings. Freshman left-handed pitcher Brevyn Kellepouris finished out the game, allowing two earned runs over more than four innings.
Northwestern built an early lead with five runs in the third inning and added three more with a home run in the fourth. Despite Penn State’s efforts—including defensive plays like an inning-ending double play—the team was unable to overcome Northwestern’s advantage.
The all-time series between these teams now stands at seventy-two meetings since Penn State joined Big Ten play in 1992, with this win marking Northwestern’s fifty-seventh victory. The teams are scheduled to continue their weekend series with games on Saturday and Sunday.
