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Penn State had its first big test of the season against No. 25 UCF in the second game of Friday\u2019s doubleheader at the Space U Classic in Orlando. The Nittany Lions looked to stay hot and extend their five-game winning streak while the Knights searched for their third straight victory.<\/p>\n
The Nittany Lions held on late despite a last-minute comeback and picked up their sixth straight win behind their hot offense, 6-5.<\/p>\n
It wouldn\u2019t be easy for the blue and white to carry its offensive momentum into this contest with UCF\u2019s ace Isabella Vega on the mound. Coach Clarisa Crowell brought a different approach, starting freshman Brevyn Kellepouris.<\/p>\n
Despite a one-out walk and a hit-by-pitch, Penn State didn\u2019t plate any runs in the first, and then were quickly retired in order the next inning. However, UCF\u2019s offense also started slow as Kellepouris allowed no base runners through the first two innings.<\/p>\n
The Nittany Lions broke the scoreless tie in the third with a little help from the Knights\u2019 defense. Shortstop Kaylie Walters drew a one-out walk, and center fielder Natalie Lieto advanced her to second with a groundout.<\/p>\n
With two outs, the blue and white\u2019s hottest hitter had a chance to drive in Walters. Third baseman Allison Oneacre lifted a short routine fly ball to left, but Carley Jo Penner bobbled the out and Walters scored.<\/p>\n
Kellepouris held the 1-0 lead later in the inning with clutch pitching. Kendall Yarnell hammered a one-out double to center, but the freshman retired the next two batters with a strikeout as the third out.<\/p>\n
While the Knights\u2019 offense started slow, Penn State added to its lead in the fourth. Designated player Brooke Klosowicz smothered a leadoff home run over the left field wall, making it 2-0. The blue and white left a few more runners stranded, but Kellepouris delivered another shutdown inning.<\/p>\n
The Nittany Lions went down quietly in their half of the fifth, but the Knights put on pressure. Zoe Calvez singled into left center for just the second UCF hit of the night. With a little momentum, Kendall Yarnell followed with a single of her own to left.<\/p>\n
With just one out, Kellepouris now faced Reagan Vokoun in a big position late in the game. The left-handed pitcher kept her composure and Vokoun grounded into an inning-ending double play.<\/p>\n
The blue and white struck again in the sixth off second baseman Michela Barbanente\u2019s first home run of the campaign. The junior\u2019s solo dinger to center gave Penn State a much-needed insurance run late with its lead at 3-0.<\/p>\n
Crowell turned to her bullpen after Kellepouris recorded her third strikeout for the first out in the bottom half of the sixth, but the freshman delivered her best outing of the season. The Olathe, Kansas, native allowed just three hits and one walk over 5.1 innings against a tough UCF offense.<\/p>\n
Penn State played small ball in the seventh and plated another insurance run. Left fielder Cara Bohner led off with a double that split the gap in right center. Walters advanced pinch runner Kalli Karwowski with a bunt, and Lieto knocked her in with a groundout.<\/p>\n
However, the Knights couldn\u2019t stop the bleeding with two outs. Oneacre walked and first baseman Kirsten Finarelli knocked a single to center, and right fielder Calvez muffed the ball, which allowed another run to score.<\/p>\n
With Finarelli on third off the error, UCF turned to its bullpen and brought in Hildie Dempsey. However, Klosowicz powered a RBI double all the way to the wall, extending Penn State\u2019s lead to 5-0.<\/p>\n
The Knights avoided the shutout in their last breath and mounted a strong comeback. Sophomore Abigail Britton attempted to close the game out, but surrendered three runs in the seventh and Crowell brought in junior Bridget Nemeth with two outs.<\/p>\n
However, the Glendora, California, native walked the first batter she faced and suddenly the Knights had the tying run at the plate. Nemeth couldn\u2019t find her control, and Crowell brought Kellepouris back into the game to face Beth Damon with the bases loaded.<\/p>\n
Damon delivered with a clutch single to center field, scoring two runs and suddenly the Knights were within one at 6-5. Despite all the drama, Kellepouris came through and closed the game with her fourth strikeout against Ashleigh Griffin.<\/p>\n
Up Next<\/p>\n
The Nittany Lions look to stay hot at the Space U Classic against Ohio at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n
MORE SOFTBALL COVERAGE<\/p>\n
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