Penn State softball returns to Beard Field to open a series against Michigan State Spartans

Big Ten play is back in action this weekend as the 14-23 Michigan State Spartans travel to Beard Field to take on the 28-8 Nittany Lions.

Penn State wrapped up its first Big Ten road trip of the season against the Nebraska Cornhuskers last weekend, winning the three-game series 2-1.

A big honor was given to freshman superstar pitcher, Bridget Nemeth. Nemeth was handed her fourth distinction from the Big Ten this spring, being named Co-Freshman of the Week.

Nemeth continues to dominate in her game; she combined to pitch 17 innings with two complete games against Nebraska while recording a career-high in strikeouts (14) in the rubber match.

Nemeth holds a second-ranking 1.17 ERA in the conference, holding batters to a .191 average across her 113.2 innings pitched.

Mady Volpe has also been another workhorse for Penn State. She’s been efficient both out of the bullpen and as a second starter, pitching to a 3.83 ERA in 80.1 innings.

As for the Nittany Lions’ offense, they stand batting .291 in the conference while slugging .480.

Infielder Kaitlyn Morrison ranks among some of the best offensive players in the Big Ten. Her 1.102 OPS ranks eighth while batting .350 with four home runs and 20 RBI.

Maddie Gordon was a big contributor against Nebraska, where she went 5-10 with a pair of RBI. Gordon’s seven home runs lead Penn State, along with her .664 slugging, 14 doubles and 11 stolen bases.

Outfielder Liana Jones also was a key piece for the Nittany Lions, going 4-9 with three doubles and an RBI. Jones is batting .320 with an OPS of .973, three home runs and 24 RBI on the season.

The Spartans come into University Park ranking last in the Big Ten in average (.247), with a .413 slugging and 38 home runs. In terms of pitching, they have a collective 4.16 ERA where batters have a .285 average.

Infielder Britain Beshears’ 11 home runs rank sixth in the conference and also leads the Spartans while batting .255 with a .956 OPS.

The Spartan’s leader in batting average (.342) and OPS (1.119) is Hannah Hawley, whose OPS also ranks sixth among the conference. Hawley has nine home runs and 19 RBI.

On the base paths, the Spartans hold the third-ranking leader in stolen bases, Alexis Ross, who currently has 15 in 16 attempts.

Liv Grey stands as Michigan State’s ace; the senior holds a 2.39 ERA in 111.1 innings with 125 strikeouts. Grey ranks third in strikeouts and fifth in ERA in the conference.

Game 1 of the series will be on Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m. at Beard Field.

Caitlyn Brooks is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email crb6283@psu.edu.