Penn State traveled cross-country for its last game before beginning Big Ten play and faced Oregon State on Wednesday night. While the Nittany Lions fell out of the top 25 rankings after going 2-2 at the Hokie Invite last weekend, they had an opportunity to get back on track against the 10-17 Beavers.
After losing two straight games, Penn State bounced back behind solid pitching and late runs in its 3-1 win over Oregon State.
Though the blue and white’s offense has been rolling throughout the season, right-hander Kimberlee Aleman prevented the Nittany Lions from plating any runs in the first four innings. Leadoff third baseman Allison Oneacre knocked a single to shortstop Camrynn Gordon.
A few batters later, catcher Macy Chamberlin launched a two-out double into left field and Penn State quickly had two runners in scoring position. However, first baseman Gabby Gradishar ended the threat with a groundout to third baseman Paige Bambarger.
Right-hander Abigail Britton also ran into some traffic on the basepaths in the opening frame, but prevented any runs from scoring. Morgan Howey raked a two-out double to left center, but Britton retired the next Beaver batter on an infield pop-up to shortstop Kalli Karwowski.
Aleman shut down the Nittany Lions in order and the Beavers took the early lead in the bottom half of the second. Mya Harrison started the scoring by drawing a long one-out walk and though Britton struck out Madison Weir, Oregon State put together some two-out magic.
Harrison stole second and Bambarger worked a long walk, which kept the inning alive. Gordon loaded the bases with an infield single to Oneacre at third. Jada Lewis delivered in a similar way to Gordon’s hit and drove in a run off an infield single to third.
However, Britton stopped the bleeding and Penn State was down just one run entering the third. Despite the blue and white going down in order once again, right-hander Mackenzie Duncan was brought into the game and delivered a pivotal shutout inning.
There were no base runners for either squad in the fourth, but the Nittany Lions’ bats tied the game in the fifth. Left fielder Breanna Hanik recorded the first hit for Penn State since the opening frame and crushed a lead-off double deep into center.
Right fielder Cara Bohner tapped a one-out infield single back to the mound and Hanik turned on the jets, advancing to third. Second baseman Michela Barbanente grounded out to third, but plated Hanik. With Bohner in scoring position, Oneacre couldn’t capitalize and flew out to center field.
Coach Clarisa Crowell went back to the bullpen with the game tied at one and brought in left-hander Brevyn Kellepouris. The freshman came through and retired the side in order.
The blue and white entered the late innings with a chance at taking the lead for the first time. In the sixth, the Nittany Lions continued the offensive momentum and scored two more runs.
Center fielder Natalie Lieto poked a lead off single to left and designated player Brooke Klosowicz followed with a hard-hit single up the middle. Lieto and Klosowicz also reached second and third off the throw.
Right-hander Amelia Streuber relieved Aleman, but couldn’t stop the damage. Klosowicz was out at third off Chamberlin’s ground ball to shortstop, but Frankee Flesher’s pitch ran for Chamberlin and stole second.
With runners in scoring position, Gradishar came through and knocked an RBI single into left to give Penn State its first lead of the night. Hanik lifted a routine fly ball to left fielder Lewis, but she dropped the ball, and another run was plated.
Bohner ended the frame in a double play lineout to shortstop, but the blue and white took a 3-1 lead late. Bar an error by Oneacre at third, which allowed the lead off to reach safely, Kellepouris provided another scoreless inning.
Kellepouris sealed the victory in the seventh and the Nittany Lions snapped their two-game winning streak and improved to 19-6 with the victory.
Up Next
Penn State stays on the West Coast and begins Big Ten play with a three-game series against No. 18 Oregon. The series opener is slated for 9 p.m. Friday.
MORE SOFTBALL COVERAGE
After spending several weekends down South, Penn State is set to take off to the West Coast …
Â
If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.