Penn State Softball Takes Two Of Three Against Wisconsin

Penn State softball (32-12, 11-6 Big Ten) battled against Wisconsin (17-26, 6-11 Big Ten) in a three-game series, where the Nittany Lions came out with another Big Ten series win. Bridget Nemeth started in the circle twice and won both games.

Game One

Freshman Bridget Nemeth got the start on the mound to start the series for the Nittany Lions. The first inning remained scoreless for both teams. With no outs on the board, Gaby Garcia hammered the ball over the left center-field wall to get things going for Penn State, 1-0.

Nemeth shined through the second inning, throwing five strikeouts and keeping Penn State in the lead.

At the top of the third, Maddie Gordon stepped up to the plate and hit a single to the short-stop, which got her to first base. Kaitlyn Morrison entered the box and put away a triple, getting Gordon all the way home. Garcia stepped back up to the plate after her homerun and hit a single down the left field line, getting Morrison home. The score was then 3-0 in favor of Penn State.

Nemeth and the defense didn’t allow a run from the Badgers until a double in the bottom of the sixth, giving Wisconsin their only run of the day. Garcia went three-for-three on the day, with an RBI and a dinger.

Penn State took the first game of the series 3-1.

Game Two

Looking to take the series, Mady Volpe got the start on the mound for the Nittany Lions.

After two scoreless innings for both squads, Wisconsin exploded after a double sent the Badgers on base home to make the score 2-0. The Badgers continued their early campaign and scored again, 4-0.

At the top of the third, Jiselle Hernandez slammed the ball over the fence for her first collegiate home run.

After a walk, Penn State’s offense added a pair of runs at the top of the third.

Midway through the third, Wisconsin added third more runs, making the score 7-2.

At the bottom of the fourth, Wisconsin hammered a home run and a double, taking their revenge for their loss yesterday, 10-2. Despite a solo home run in the fifth by Garcia, the Nittany Lions allowed the Badgers to walk all over them, the final score being 17-3.

Game Three

With a series on the line, Penn State started Nemeth on the mound.

At the top of the first, Morrison on the first pitch hit a single to get the game started. With Morrison on first base, Gordon slammed a dinger to left field, sending Gordon around, making the score 2-0.

To end the first, Wisconsin scored on an RBI double to make the score 2-1.

With a player on third base, Haylie Brunson hit an RBI double, adding a run to the scoreboard. With strong defensive plays and solid pitching, the Nittany Lions keep the Badgers from scoring.

In the top of the sixth, Brunson solos a home run with one out, making the score 4-1.

With only two outs and bases loaded, Liana Jones hits a grand slam, extending the lead to 9-1.

Wisconsin managed to tally a run at the bottom of the sixth to avoid an early ending to the game. At the top of the seventh, Hernadez’s hit barely stayed fair to add another run for Penn State. To end the game, Nemeth struck out the Badgers, earning her 25th win as a freshman.

What’s Next?

Penn State will host Saint Francis at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, for faculty and staff appreciation night at the Nittany Lion Softball Park and Beard Field.