PISCATAWAY, N.J. - In a nail-biter at the RU Softball Complex, Rutgers softball fell just short against Penn State, losing 7-6 in a thrilling matchup.
The Nittany Lions jumped out to an early two-run lead, but the Scarlet Knights roared back, seizing a 5-2 advantage with a four-run explosion in the third inning. Penn State didn't back down, reclaiming the lead at 6-5 in the fifth.
Then, Baileigh Burtis stepped up for Rutgers, smashing her fifth homer of the season to tie it up 6-6. Yet, PSU had the final say, with a solo shot in the seventh sealing their victory.
This win gives Penn State a 2-0 lead in the series. Rutgers now stands at 17-17 overall and 3-8 in Big Ten play.
Sophomore standout Baileigh Burtis was impressive, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs, including that crucial home run. Fellow sophomore Riley Hwang also made an impact, delivering an RBI double and scoring a run.
Contributions came from all corners, with junior Sam Rohwer, senior Siera Hoekstra, and sophomore Jayla Fuller each crossing the plate despite the loss.
On the mound, sophomore Kelsey Hoekstra started for Rutgers, while Kassandra Gewecke took the loss, her record moving to 5-9 after allowing five runs on five hits over four innings, striking out two.
The game kicked off with Penn State's Michela Barbanente launching a homer on the seventh pitch, and Jordan George drawing a bases-loaded walk to put PSU up 2-0 quickly.
Rutgers responded in their first at-bat. Burtis' sacrifice fly brought Rohwer home, cutting the deficit. A couple of walks and a wild pitch set up the score.
The third inning was a highlight for Rutgers. Jayla Fuller singled and scored on Hwang’s double.
Hwang then scored on a fielder's choice involving Siera Hoekstra. The Scarlet Knights added two more runs via a sac fly and an error, giving them a temporary edge.
However, the Nittany Lions answered back with Brooke Klosowicz's three-run homer to level the score at 5-5.
PSU nudged ahead in the fifth with a Gabby Gradishar RBI single, but Burtis' homer in the bottom half tied it again.
Gradishar struck once more in the seventh, blasting a solo homer to left-center, ultimately clinching the win for Penn State.
Fans had the chance to grab "Rutgers Watches Women's Sports" t-shirts at the marketing table, adding a touch of community spirit to an intense afternoon of softball.