Softball Returns For Penn State Classic

Penn State softball (15-3) returns to Happy Valley to begin its home slate for the 2023 season during the Penn State Classic. The Nittany Lions will host Binghamton, UMBC, Cornell and Canisius. 

SERIES HISTORY 

Penn State and Cornell have matched up three times before as the Nittany Lions have emerged victorious in all three. Last season at the Penn State Classic, Penn State and Cornell took their contest into extra-innings before the Nittany Lions pulled away with a walk-off 3-2 win.  

Canisius and Penn State have faced off once before as the Nittany Lions handled the Griffins 8-0.   

Binghamton and Penn State have only faced off one time as well. The Nittany Lions were able to down the Bearcats 6-2. They have not played each other since 2004. 

Penn State and UMBC have never faced each other in regular season play but did play a scrimmage earlier this spring. The Nittany Lions were able to handle the Retrievers with a 11-0 mercy rule win.   

SCOUTING THE FIELD 

Cornell is off to a 4-6 start this season. The Big Red was able to win three of their five games this past weekend at the Retriever Classic, including a 2-1 victory against UMBC who they will face twice this weekend in Happy Valley.  

Canisius is 9-8 in the early season featuring a key win against Boston University who Penn State fell to twice earlier this year at the Queen City Classic. Junior Megan Giese is the Griffins ace in the circle winning MAAC pitcher of the year last year, and already amassing five wins in 10 appearances this season.  

Binghamton is 11-7 this season with a key win against Florida Gulf Coast. They also swept their matchups at the Pirate-Spartan Classic beating Norfolk State, University of Delaware and Hampton twice.  

UMBC is 8-5 to begin the season. Emerging freshman third baseman Emily Riggs is riding a hot streak of games at the plate and just won America East Rookie of the Week. 

HOT START 

The Nittany Lions began the season 7-0, matching their best start in program history with the 1974 team. They are now 15-3 which is the second-best start in program history through 18 games. The 2006 team got off to an 18-3 start. 

Penn State shut out five of its first six teams that it faced. The five shutouts were consecutive, which is a school record for most consecutive shutouts.   

SWINGING HOT BATS 

Penn…