April 8, 2008
University Park, Pa. - The Penn State baseball team will renew one of its oldest and most-played series on Wednesday when the Nittany Lions travel down to the steel city to meet up with the Pittsburgh Panthers for a midweek game. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. at Pitt's Trees Field.
The Penn State-Pitt series is the second-most played in school history for the Nittany Lions behind only Bucknell. The Nittany Lions (9-17) hold an 83-38-1 advantage in the series with the Panthers (8-17). This will be the 123rd meeting between the Nittany Lions and Panthers, surpassed only by the 143 meetings the Nittany Lions have with Bucknell. Penn State has won its last three meetings with Pitt. The Nittany Lions won the 2006 game that was played in Washington, Pa. by a 7-4 score in 11 innings. Although that game was played just over two years ago, only five members of the current Nittany Lion team played in that game: Brian Ernst, Joe Blackburn, Cory Wine, Seth Whitehill and Mark Wyner. Whitehill made his first career start in that game and left as the pitcher of record on the winning side before Pitt tied it up late and the game went to extras. Former Nittany Lion Gary Amato picked up the win in that game.
Penn State also won in 2005 in a game that was played in Altoona. Former Nit Steve Cline pitched a complete game shutout in that game as the Nits won 9-0. Prior to that, the teams had not met since 1994 and prior to a 1994 doubleheader, which the teams split in Altoona, the teams had not played since 1988, which was the last time Penn State visited Pitt.
Freshman southpaw Calvin Grumley will make his second career start on Wednesday. He got his first start last Wednesday at home against Bucknell and went three scoreless innings in that game on a pitch count, picking up his first career win. He also pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday against Michigan.
One member of the Nittany Lions can make some history on Wednesday, as first baseman Cory Wine needs just 11 putouts to break the school career record for putouts of 1193.
Following Wednesday's game, the Nittany Lions will hit the road again as they travel to West Lafayette, Ind. for a Big Ten road series at Purdue.