Erin Jancic hit 2-for-3 behind the plate with one run and two RBI for the 'Cats win against Penn State.Erin Jancic hit 2-for-3 behind the plate with one run and two RBI for the 'Cats win against Penn State.

Softball Downs Penn State in First Game of Doubleheader, 8-7

The Northwestern softball team defeated Penn State, 8-7, in game one of a doubleheader in State College, Pa., Friday. The 'Cats improved their record to 8-11 overall and 1-0 in the Big Ten.

Northwestern scored two runs in the first inning, three runs in the second inning, one run in the third inning and two runs in the fourth inning to win with eight runs. Penn State battled back late in the sixth inning. The Nittany Lions were down, 8-5, and answered with three runs in the sixth inning to pull within one. But the 'Cats held on for the one run victory.

Freshman Carri Leto led the offensive attack going 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs and one RBI. Erin Jancic hit 2-for-3 with one run and two RBI while junior Gretchen Barnes went 2-for-4 with one run.

Sophomore Brie Brown pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 10 hits and seven runs while striking out one. Sophomore Lauren Schwendimann pitched 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and two hits.

Team stats between Penn State and NU were even as the 'Cats and Nittany Lions each committed two errors and each had 12 hits.