Northwestern Softball Dominates Penn State in Series Sweep

Wildcats outscore Nittany Lions 38-9 in impressive conference showing

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:26pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a softball game, with the players and field broken down into overlapping, angular shapes in the colors of the Northwestern and Penn State uniforms.Northwestern's offensive onslaught against Penn State highlights the team's potential to dominate the Big Ten conference.South Bend Today

Northwestern softball team swept Penn State in a dominant three-game series, outscoring the Nittany Lions 38-9 over the weekend. The Wildcats extended their winning streak over Penn State to 19 games and secured their second straight road sweep against a Big Ten opponent.

Why it matters

This series victory serves as a momentum builder and confidence boost for Northwestern as they look to continue climbing the Big Ten standings after dropping their previous two series. The Wildcats' offensive onslaught showcased their ability to overwhelm opponents and suggests they could be a force to be reckoned with in the conference.

The details

In each game, Northwestern's offense erupted, scoring in double digits in two of the three contests. Highlights included three-run home runs from Kaylie Avvisato and Emma Raye, as well as a 10-run sixth inning in the series finale. The Wildcats' pitching was also strong, with Marina Mason earning a win and recording a career-high 10 strikeouts in one game.

  • The series took place over the weekend of April 14, 2026.
  • Northwestern will next face Notre Dame on Wednesday, April 17, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT.

The players

Kaylie Avvisato

A Northwestern player who hit two home runs, including a three-run shot, during the series.

Emma Raye

The Big Ten Player of the Week, who hit a three-run home run and showcased excellent baserunning in the series.

Marina Mason

The Northwestern pitcher who earned a win, recording a career-high 10 strikeouts in one game.

Renae Cunningham

The Northwestern pitcher who closed out the final game of the series with a 1-2-3 inning.

Signe Dohse

The Northwestern pitcher who earned a win, pitching 2.1 innings of one-run ball despite issuing four walks.

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What’s next

Northwestern will travel to South Bend, Indiana, to face Notre Dame on Wednesday, April 17, 2026 at 5 p.m. CT.

The takeaway

Northwestern's dominant series sweep over Penn State showcases the team's offensive firepower and ability to overwhelm opponents, suggesting they could be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten conference as they continue their climb up the standings.