The Nittany Lions have a 7-5 record against conference opponents after its second consecutive Big Ten sweep.
This past weekend, the blue and white hosted its second home series of the 2026 season at Nittany Lion Softball Park at Beard Field, facing off against the Maryland Terrapins.
Penn State showed out for its home crowd, outscoring Maryland 31-9 over the course of three back-to-back games. The first pitch of the series was moved up to early afternoon on Friday, and the Nittany Lions secured the sweep midday on Saturday after their doubleheader.
Now, the blue and white have a 26-12 overall record. Here are some of the highlights from the past weekend.
Clutch throughout lineup
The biggest takeaway from the blue and white’s dominant performances against the Terrapins is that everyone produced quality at-bats, from the top to the bottom of the lineup.
Freshman Outfielder Breanna Hanik has been the leadoff hitter for Penn State for good reason, as she went 2-for-3 at the plate during the weekend’s first game. Hanik scored a pair of runs, five RBIs and got a hold of opposing pitchers in ways that resulted in homers. She became the second Nittany Lion in program history to have two multi-homeruns in their freshman campaign.
Outfielder Breanna Hanik (17) runs towards the ball during the Penn State Softball game against Maryland in the Nittany Lion Softball Park on Friday, April 3, 2026 in University Park, Pa.
Matt Cropp
Freshman Allison Oneacre was the first rookie to complete two multi-homer games earlier this season. The shortstop had a perfect outing on Friday, going 3-for-3, getting a single, double and home run and ultimately finishing with two RBIs.
Third-year trailblazer Brooke Klosowicz led the Nittany Lions to victory in both games on Saturday, where the Johnsburg, Illinois, native held a .500 batting average. For the first game of the day, she logged 3-for-3 at the plate and produced a trio of singles, with three RBIs.
But the moment the junior third baseman was known for was closing out the series finale after a scoreless defensive showdown, with a walkoff two-run home run.
Throughout the entire weekend, all of the Penn State offense was able to make contact in the batter’s box.
Second baseman Michela Barbanente also hit for a .500 batting average and a .667 on-base percentage during the doubleheader last weekend. Center fielder Natalie Lieto went 2-for-4 in the course of both games, securing a home run, a pair of runs scored and three RBI.
What the past weekend has taught the blue and white is that, in clutch moments, the batting order is able to produce quality at-bats that create momentum no matter where in the order it’s in.
Bullpen steps up
During the three-game series against Maryland, the Penn State pitching staff used the depth of its bullpen very well. At critical moments throughout the game, the blue and white were successful in keeping the score close.
Freshman left-hander Brevyn Kellepouris earned the start on Friday. She allowed five hits and two earned runs across 1.1 innings pitched. McKenna Young jumped into the circle for relief and got the victory, allowing just one hit and a strikeout.
Sophomore righty Abigail Britton and junior Bridget Nemeth helped close things out on Friday, which gave the Nittany Lions the 13-5 win.
Four Penn State pitchers appeared in the circle during Saturday’s doubleheaders.
Pitcher Bridget Nemeth (25) throws a pitch during the softball game against Wisconsin at Beard Field at Nittany Lion Softball Park on Saturday, March 21, 2026, in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions defeated the Badgers 14-8.
Lucas Yendrzeiwski
Nemeth got the start for the first half of games, pitching only 1.1 innings before Mackenzie Duncan, freshman right-hander, entered the game. She shut things down with 3.2 innings, allowing just one single and struck out three batters. Duncan earned credit for the win, improving to 5-1 in her rookie season.
Britton started things off in the second game, striking out three Terrapins, surrendering three hits and a pair of walks, and was able to keep a clean scoreboard.
Young closed out the series with 3.0 innings pitched in the finale. Surrendering a single hit, then sending three Maryland batters back to the dugout, closing out the 2-0 win.
The blue and white used the depth of its bullpen strongly throughout its Big Ten weekend.
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