Penn State looked to extend its even-game winning streak in its fourth game at the Space U Classic in Orlando on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish entered the contest still searching for its first victory in the tournament after losing two straight.
The Nittany Lions are now riding an eight-game winning streak after they earned another lopsided 14-2 win over Notre Dame behind their red-hot bats.
Coach Clarisa Crowell started ace Bridget Nemeth, while Notre Dame tasked sophomore Brianne Weiss with shutting down the Nittany Lions’ scorching offense. The left-handed pitcher couldn’t slow down the blue and white early.
After a scoreless top half of the opening frame, Penn State took the lead in the bottom half. Center fielder Natalie Lieto led off with a four-pitch walk, and then the Nittany Lions’ home run leader took care of the rest.
First baseman Allison Oneacre smothered a two-run home run to left center, giving Penn State the early 2-0 lead. This marked the freshman’s seventh home run as opposing pitchers still can’t contain her offensively.
A few small ball hits and a costly error allowed the Fighting Irish to strike back quickly in the second. Sydny Poeck poked an infield single to second baseman Michela Barbanente and Caroline O’Brien followed by reaching base off a successful bunt.
After a fielder’s choice out to shortstop Kaylie Walters, Kaia Cortes stepped into the box with runners on first and second. The sophomore powered a one-out double to right center, driving in Poeck from third. However, right fielder Cara Bohner swiftly got to the ball and relayed the throw to second baseman Barbanente, and the second runner was out at home.
However, following a good defensive play by the blue and white’s defense, Avery Houlihan reached on a throwing error by Walters at shortstop. The mistake allowed Notre Dame to tie the game at two, as Cortes scored from second.
Despite the sloppy end of the second frame, Penn State struck back in the next inning and piled on the runs. The Nittany Lions’ offense has been putting up crooked numbers all season, and that theme continued with six runs plated.
Catcher Macy Chamberlin snuck a leadoff single through the left side of the infield. Bohner and Breanna Hanik followed with two singles of their own. Walters made up for her error in the previous inning with an RBI single down the left field line.
Oneacre drew a one-out walk, scoring Hanik and keeping the bases loaded. Weiss felt the pressure while facing the heart of Penn State’s lineup and hit designated player Brooke Klosowicz.
With two runs already scored and just one out, Notre Dame turned to its bullpen. However, senior Micaela Kastor couldn’t stop the bleeding. Barbanente lined a two-RBI double to right.
A few batters later, Bohner walked in another run and extended Penn State’s lead, 8-2. Now with a six-run lead, Crowell brought in junior McKenna Young.
While the Fighting Irish went down quietly in the third, the Nittany Lions’ bats continued pouring it on. Walters led off with a walk, and Lieto followed with a single through the left side. Oneacre grounded out, but advanced both runners into scoring position.
Klosowicz laid down a perfect bunt single and scored Walters from third. The onslaught continued as Barbanente poked an RBI single through the right side. Notre Dame turned to freshman Molly Conner, but she felt the pressure and threw a wild pitch that reached the backstop and scored Klosowicz from third.
The blue and white now held a commanding 11-2 lead going into the fourth and the Fighting Irish had no answers on either side of the plate. Barring a leadoff walk, Young retired Notre Dame with ease once again.
The Nittany Lions added three more runs in the fourth frame off three hits, two walks and a throwing error by Houlihan at shortstop. After holding off the Fighting Irish from scoring in the fifth, the blue and white earned its 12th win of the season.
Up Next
Penn State takes its eight-game winning streak into its finale game at the Space U Classic against Charleston Southern at 9 a.m. Sunday.
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