Penn State Softball is poised for a thrilling weekend as they gear up for their first Big Ten Conference true-road series of the 2025 season. The Nittany Lions will face off against the Indiana Hoosiers from March 21 to March 23 at Andy Mohr Field in Bloomington, Indiana. The series is crucial for both teams, as the Nittany Lions look to improve their conference standing after a tough beginning to their season.
The series opener kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m. ET, followed by game two on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET, and concluding with the finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. All games will be broadcast live on B1G+, accessible to a global audience of authenticated subscribers via connected devices. Fans can find links to the live streams on the Penn State softball schedule webpage, ensuring they won’t miss a moment of the action.
After a mixed bag of results at the B1G Softball x Devon Park event, where the Nittany Lions recorded a 1-3 record, they are eager to bounce back with a solid performance against the Hoosiers. The team managed a strong finish with a 5-1 victory over Minnesota, showcasing their prowess. Leading the way offensively is senior right fielder Haylie Brunson, who has been stellar with a .538 batting average, complemented by four RBI and two home runs across the team’s first four Big Ten contests.
Brunson, a Mount Pleasant native, isn’t the only star on the team. Sophomore third baseman Brooke Klosowicz is also making an impact, boasting a .500 batting average. Meanwhile, senior pitcher Mady Volpe has established herself as a reliable ace with a 2.57 ERA, providing the Nittany Lions with strong performances when they need them the most.
As for their opponents, the Indiana Hoosiers come into the series with a 20-7 overall record but a shaky start in Big Ten play with an 0-2 mark. Under the leadership of eighth-year head coach Shonda Stanton, the Hoosiers managed to secure a narrow victory over Notre Dame this past Tuesday, a 3-2 triumph that has them looking to regain momentum after losing their first two Big Ten games to Iowa.
The Hoosiers' offensive performance has been notable, with six players boasting OPS numbers over 1.000. Leading this group is Taylor Minnick, who averages .500 and has hit seven home runs this season. The Hoosiers will be looking to build on their strengths against Penn State, especially after facing a tough couple of games against Iowa.
Looking back at the matchup history, this weekend marks the 89th, 90th, and 91st meetings between these two teams. Historically, Indiana leads with a 50-38 record. However, the Nittany Lions have been successful in recent years, winning six of the last eight matchups, including sweeping the Hoosiers in the previous season.
In 2024, the Nittany Lions displayed dominance over Indiana, earning convincing victories with scores of 2-1, 8-3, and 5-2 during their three-game series. Penn State’s offense proved effective, hitting .319 against the Hoosiers while limiting Indiana to a mere .187 batting average throughout the series.
The energy is palpable as both teams prepare for the weekend’s battles. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Penn State can leverage their recent successes against Indiana or if the Hoosiers will rally to reclaim their standing in the conference.
Meanwhile, across the state, Indiana State baseball is also gearing up for an important weekend as they commence Missouri Valley Conference play against Valparaiso this weekend, also from March 21-23. This series will take place at Bob Warn Field, with the first game starting at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday. Games are also set for Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., broadcast live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Indiana State enters this Missouri Valley opener with a dazzling record, having won 19 consecutive MVC weekend series, a streak that spans back to the end of the 2022 season. The Sycamores captured both the 2023 and 2024 regular-season MVC titles, establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the league.
However, they are coming off a challenging midweek loss against Illinois, where they fell 8-6 despite a powerful offensive display, including homers from Eli Gipson, Carter Beck, and Carlos Pena. Indiana State’s offense continues to shine, with Carlos Pena leading the charge with a .342 batting average and 21 RBIs, but they need to sharpen their pitching performance to sustain their winning ways this season.
On the flip side, Valparaiso enters the series with a 4-12 overall record. They are looking to turn their fortunes around following a recent loss to Ball State, where Ryan Maka continued to impress, hitting his 20th career home run.
The all-time series between Indiana State and Valparaiso has seen Indiana State dominate with a record of 59-29-1. Notably, the Sycamores have won their last 25 matchups with Valparaiso, a streak that continues to bolster their confidence as they head into this pivotal series. The excitement is high for both Michigan teams, as fans anticipate the thrill of college baseball and softball at its best this weekend.
With both programs poised for impactful series, the weekend promises to deliver plenty of action and competition that fans won’t want to miss. Keep an eye on the Nittany Lions and the Sycamores as they fight for victory and pride in their respective conferences.
