Penn State softball achieved an 11-3 victory against Bucknell in five innings on April 14, highlighted by a season-matching offensive performance at Nittany Lion Softball Park & Beard Field.
The game saw Penn State record its second-highest hit total of the season with 14 hits, just one shy of its top mark. Ten different players contributed at least one hit, and the team hit three home runs during the contest. This win marks Penn State’s sixth consecutive victory over Bucknell and improves their overall record to 27-15 for the season.
Freshman left fielder Breanna Hanik led the offense with a three-run homer as part of her two-hit, four-RBI night. Junior Michela Barbanente added a two-run home run, while freshman Allison Oneacre drove in her 52nd RBI of the year—just short of tying Penn State’s single-season record. Freshman Gabby Gradishar and junior Natalie Lieto also had notable performances at bat.
On the mound, sophomore Abigail Britton started for Penn State and delivered two shutout innings. She was followed by Bridget Nemeth, who earned her fourth win of the season after pitching two innings with two strikeouts. Freshman Brevyn Kellepouris closed out the game in relief.
Bucknell managed to score three runs across the fourth and fifth innings but could not overcome Penn State’s early lead. The Nittany Lions ended the game in walk-off fashion via Gradishar’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Looking ahead, Penn State will return to Big Ten Conference play for a three-game series against Ohio State from April 17 through April 19 at Buckeye Field in Columbus.
