Penn State Nittany Lions softball

The Penn State Nittany Lions softball team represents Pennsylvania State University in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Big Ten Conference. The Nittany Lions are currently led by head coach Clarisa Crowell. The team plays its home games at Beard Field at Nittany Lion Softball Park located on the university's campus.

History
Penn State has played softball continuously since 1965. Like many women's programs, the Nittany Lions were members of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women from 1971-1982, when the NCAA began officially sponsoring softball. Since 2011, the Nittany Lions have played at 1,084-seat Beard Field.

The Nittany Lions joined the Atlantic 10 Conference ahead of the 1983 season and would go on to win the Atlantic 10 softball tournament in 1983, 1985, and 1988. In 1989, Penn State announced plans to join the Big Ten Conference for all sports, beginning softball play in the Big Ten in 1992.

Throughout its history, Penn State has played in 11 NCAA softball tournaments. The Nittany Lions are currently coached by Clarisa Crowell, who took over ahead of the 2021 season.

Penn State in the NCAA Tournament
The NCAA Division I softball tournament started in 1982. The Nittany Lions have played in 11 tournaments, most recently in 2024.

Awards

 * Big Ten Coach of the Year
 * Robin Petrini, 1999


 * Big Ten Freshman of the Year
 * Bridget Nemeth, 2024