Another Nemeth masterclass: Penn State wins opening game against Northwestern 2-1

LINCOLN, Neb. - The Nittany Lions traveled to Nebraska for a three-game weekend series against the Cornhuskers in their first Big Ten road series this year.

In Game 1, Bridget Nemeth made her ninth start of the season for Penn State, and she put up yet another stellar performance earning her 16th win this season. It was a hard-fought, low-scoring outing for the Nittany Lions who struggled to get the bats going early.

Coming into this game, Nebraska had one of the most potent offenses in the Big Ten, leading the conference in total bases and doubles, while ranking second in home runs and hits. Bridget Nemeth had other plans for the Cornhuskers though.

Leadoff hitter Billie Andrews has been one of the hottest hitters in the Big Ten so far this season. Coming into this series, she was ranked among the top five in the conference for hits (46), runs (39), RBIs (32), home runs (14) and OPS(1.335).

Top of the first:

Sisters Billie and Brooke Andrews both reached base safely with the latter roping a double down the left field line to start the game putting them both in scoring position. She then allowed Billie to score on an unearned run via a passed ball, but after that, she was able to escape the inning only down one run.

The Nittany Lions batters faced off against senior pitcher Kaylin Kinney (103.1 IP, 4.00 ERA), and struggled to get going early, not recording a hit until the fourth inning. However, in this pitcher's duel, it was Maddie Gordon who made the difference for Penn State on the base paths.

Bottom of the fifth:

After the first inning, Nemeth only allowed one more hit the rest of the day, but in the fifth inning, things started to heat up again. Nevertheless, Nemeth remained calm and collected, escaping another jam against Brooke Andrews.

Top of the Sixth:

Following a Gaby Garcia walk, Gordon launched a two-run-bomb to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. She went 2-3 on the day and accounted for nearly half of the team's hits.

After the fifth-inning scare, Nemeth breezed through the rest of the Nebraska lineup, getting back-to-back 1-2-3 innings and completing the game with four strikeouts and only one walk.

With Nemeth unlikely to start two games in two days, tomorrow's game might look different as the Cornhuskers will try to put on a better offensive performance.

Don't be surprised to see Nemeth make a relief appearance if needed, as she has pitched in six of seven Big Ten matchups this season for the Nittany Lions.

Carson Schuler is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism, to contact him please email cts5357@psu.edu.