Penn State Softball Reaches NCAA Tournament for First Time in 13 Years

Penn State softball has qualified for the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 2011 and the 11th time in program history. The Nittany Lions will open their NCAA Tournament run against Texas State at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 17, in College Station, Texas. The game will air on ESPNU.

Despite falling in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament, Penn State put together a strong regular season. The Nittany Lions went 36-18 overall with a 12-11 conference record. They posted a notable win over then-No. 16 Arkansas en route to an 8-0 start to the campaign. 

Penn State is in a group with Texas State, Texas A&M, and UAlbany. The Nittany Lions have faced Texas State once before this season, getting swept in a three-game series in San Marcos, Texas. The Nittany Lions are led by the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and top-10 finalist for the Tucci/NFCA Division I National Freshman of the Year Award pitcher Bridget Nemeth. Penn State is in its fourth year under head coach Clarisa Crowell, who logged her 100th win at Penn State earlier this season.

Should the Nittany Lions win Friday’s game, they will face the winner of the Texas A&M vs. UAlbany game at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18. If they lose, they will face the loser of that game at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The NCAA Regionals are a double-elimination competition.