April 8, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format
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• The Penn State baseball team looks to build off its fifth walk-off win of the season when it hosts Northwestern this weekend in the Big Ten home opener. The Nittany Lions are coming off a walk-off 7-6 victory over Bucknell on Tuesday. Game times are set for 6:35 p.m. (Friday), 2:05 p.m. (Saturday) and 1:05 p.m. (Sunday). Friday and Saturday will be streamed live on BigTenNetwork.com with live audio available all weekend.
• The Lions once again won in dramatic fashion on Tuesday, coming back with two ninth-inning runs to defeat Bucknell for their 16th straight win over the Bison. Penn State improved to 118-28-1 all-time against its in-state rival.
• Both teams come into the weekend with 1-2 Big Ten records. Northwestern hosted Ohio State last weekend while Penn State traveled to Illinois.
• The first of numerous season ticket holder ticket exchanges are set for this weekend - State College Spikes (Friday), Nittany Lion Basketball (Saturday) and Lady Lion Basketball (Sunday). Season ticket holders can receive up to two complimentary tickets to the respective game indicated.
• Friday also marks the second of five Dollar Hot Dog Fridays, set for every Friday home game this season.
• Live stats through GameTracker and audio via Penn State All-Access will be available all weekend long. Fans in the State College area can tune in on ESPN Radio 1450 AM. A live video broadcast will also be available on Friday and Saturday through BigTenNetwork.com. And as always, be sure to follow the Penn State Baseball Twitter page.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday, April 9, Northwestern at Penn State, 6:35 PM ET
COVERAGE: | 1450 AM (ESPN Radio) | | Watch Live | Twitter
Northwestern: Francis Brooke (3-2, 4.22 ERA)
Penn State: Mike Wanamaker (2-2, 6.46 ERA)
Saturday, April 10, Northwestern at Penn State, 2:05 PM ET
COVERAGE: | 1450 AM (ESPN Radio) | | Watch Live | Twitter
Northwestern: Eric Jokisch (2-4, 5.97 ERA)
Penn State: Ryan Ignas (2-2, 6.75 ERA)
Sunday, April 11, Northwestern at Penn State, 1:05 PM ET
COVERAGE: | 1450 AM (ESPN Radio) | | Twitter
Northwestern: TBA
Penn State: TBA
Upcoming Schedule
4/9-11: NORTHWESTERN
4/13: PITTSBURGH (THON NIGHT)
4/16-18: at Purdue
4/20: DUQUESNE (CODE BLUE/PENN STATE SPORTS NIGHT)
4/21: MOUNT ST. MARY'S (GREEK NIGHT)
THON Night Quickly Approaching
• The Penn State baseball team is happy to host THON Night next Tuesday evening against Pittsburgh.
• The Nittany Lions will donate all student single game ticket sales to the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. The Dance Marathon marks the end of a year-long effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. This past February, THON raised a record $7,838,054.36.
Penn State Catchers - Double The Success
• The Nittany Lions present arguably the best catching duo in the nation, with juniors Ben Heath and Bobby Jacobs leading the way.
• They've both come into their own in 2010, with Heath hitting .349 and Jacobs batting .390. The two have put up incredible numbers and are hitting a combined .364 with 11 home runs, 43 RBI, 19 doubles, 60 hits and 35 runs scored.
• In addition, Heath and Jacobs have already posted career-highs in doubles with 10 and eight, respectively. In total, they own 42 percent of the team's two-baggers (19-of-45).
• Heath is also riding a career-high 14 game hitting streak, tied for the 32nd longest active streak in the nation. That mark is also tied for 15th in school history and is tied for the second longest (active) streak in the Big Ten, only trailing Indiana's Alex Dickerson, who has reached 21 games.
Johnson Shows Versatility
• Junior Heath Johnson came out of the bullpen on Tuesday for his first-career pitching appearance after starting 20 games in the outfield.
• The native of Alamagordo, N.M. tossed a scoreless fourth inning, while striking out one.
• He was the third of three position players to pitch this season as Steve Snyder and Joey DeBernardis have also seen action. The three have combined for four scoreless frames thus far.
Snyder Coming Up In The Clutch
• Freshman Steve Snyder has consistently come up big at the plate.
• Six of his 20 hits this season have driven in two or more runs. He is currently fourth on the team with 17 RBI, mainly from the bottom of the batting order. He has hit ninth in the lineup in all but two starts, when he led off and batted seventh.
• Snyder's streak of three straight games with multiple hits (and RBI) was snapped on Tuesday against Bucknell, but he did go 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored. He is hitting .467 (7-for-15) with eight RBI over his last four games.
Searer Continues To Impress
• Redshirt freshman Elliot Searer has taken advantage of increased playing time by hitting .371 on the season, led by two straight multi hit efforts last weekend and his first-career extra-base hit.
• He already has six multi-hit games and a hit in 13 of 16 starts.
• He also tied his career-high of three hits on Tuesday vs. Bucknell, this only three days after originally setting his career-high at Illinois.
• Overall, Searer enters the weekend on an eight-game hitting streak.
• The Lewistown, Pa. native showed his versatility when he saw his first-career action in the outfield after working solely as an infielder.
• He also led off for the first time on Sunday at Illinois.
• Searer has been an opportune base runner, swiping seven bags on the season, including a career-high two stolen bases in the series finale against Hofstra.
Walking Off?
• With Tuesday's walk-off win over Bucknell, Penn State has now seen an incredible eight of its first 27 games this season end via a walk-off of some kind, five in the Nittany Lions' favor.
• Joey DeBernardis has two walk-off single while his bouncer to third against Hofstra was thrown away to give the Lions the 2-1 victory. Juniors Mario Eramo and Bobby Jacobs were at the plate for the Lions' other walk-off wins.
• After the Nittany Lions came back for a 6-5 win over Columbia at the Coca-Cola Classic, Winthrop pulled out a 14-13 walk-off (extra-inning) win in the nightcap.
• The season's first three games ended in walk-off fashion, the first two Penn State victories. Then, Texas State hit a sacrifice fly with one out in the bottom of the ninth to (at the time) even the Lions' "walk-off record."
Ben Heath - Johnny Bench Award Candidate
• Penn State junior Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.) is one of 62 Division I catchers named to the Watch List for the Coleman Company Johnny Bench Award delivered by Papa John's Pizza, as announced by the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. Named in honor of the former Cincinnati Reds' great, the award is presented to the top catcher in Division I.
• Heath is one of five Big Ten catchers named to the list.
An All-American & Dick Howser Trophy Candidate
• Heath's hot start has put him on the national radar.
• The National Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) has added him to the Dick Howser Trophy Watch List and All-America ballot. The Howser trophy is presented annually to the national collegiate baseball player of the year.
• Heath has asserted himself as one of the nation's top catchers. When comparing his season to the other Johnny Bench Award candidates, he is near the top of almost every statistical category (all stats as of April 5).
• He is second in home runs, RBI, total bases and slugging percentage while coming in fourth in doubles and fifth in OPS (on-base plus slugging). Heath is first among the power six conferences in home runs as the current leader is out of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). He is also 12th in hits and tied for 13th in batting average.
• Heath is on pace to break the school's single-season home run record and finish among the top five for doubles in a season. He by far leads Penn State in almost every statistical category. His current OPS is an incredible 1.113 while his slugging percentage of .708 would put him fourth in program history. He could also finish among the top five in nearly every statistical category, including hits, runs, RBI, total bases (among others).
Tracking Heath: Season Updates
• In total, Heath leads the Lions with a career-high nine home runs, 11 doubles, 34 RBI, .708 slugging percentage and 1.113 OPS (on-base plus slugging). Penn State's cleanup hitter is also hitting .349 in 25 games (all starts).
• Heath came up big with a home run in back-to-back games last weekend at Illinois. It marked the third time this season he's gone deep in two or more consecutive games.
• Against Pittsburgh (3/24) and Hofstra (3/26-28), the native of Huntersville, N.C. finished 9-for-18 in five games to improve his season average from .317 to (at the time) .358. He finished with one home run, seven RBI and three runs scored.
• The highlight of his weekend against Hofstra included a 3-for-4 effort in Game Two of Saturday's doubleheader with a double, run scored and three RBI. He then went 2-for-4 with a walk and run scored in the series finale.
• At Pittsburgh, Heath hit his third home run in as many games, a long three-run shot for his seventh long ball of the season. That propelled Penn State to a 3-0 first-inning advantage.
• Heath had a monster performance at the Coca-Cola Classic, playing in three of four games with a .455 average (5-for-11) along with a double, two home runs (including first-career grand slam), 10 RBI and six runs scored. He also had four walks, improving his on-base percentage to .600 for the week.
• His hits have come at huge moments of games, starting in the season-opener vs. Cincinnati (2/26) when his solo home run in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 deadlock.
• Then against Notre Dame (2/28), his seventh-inning long ball pulled the Lions within one while his ninth-inning home run tied the score at eight to force extra innings.
• Against McNeese State (3/5), his home run doubled Penn State's lead from three (4-1) to six (7-1), serving as the key knockout blow on the way to a 12-6 win.
• Heath has also been strong defensively, posting a .991 fielding percentage while throwing out 32 percent of potential base stealers (12-of-38).
All-Time In Big Ten Home Openers
• Penn State enters Friday with a 9-9 all-time record in Big Ten home openers (see table).
• Ironically, that tied the team's mark in actual Big Ten openers (home or away).
• Northwestern will become Penn State's eighth different opponent in a Big Ten home opener.
• The squad hopes to snap a four-game losing streak. Its last win came by a 13-5 final over Minnesota on Apr. 15, 2005. Penn State has lost six of its last seven Big Ten home openers.
The Series With Northwestern
• Like last weekend's opponent (Illinois), the all-time series against Northwestern is tight with Penn State owning a slim 33-32 lead.
• The teams first played in the Lions' first Big Ten season in 1992, a 5-4 Wildcat victory. Penn State responded with three consecutive wins.
• The Nittany Lions have won six consecutive games in the all-time series, including last season's triumph in the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge in Florida.
• Penn State swept a four-game series at home in 2007 and won the final game of the road set in 2006 to begin the streak.
• The home team has fared well all-time with the Lions going 21-11 at home against the Wildcats and only 10-21 on the road. Two neutral site tilts have both ended in Lion victories.
Junior Catcher |
Scouting Northwestern
• The Wildcats enter the weekend with a 7-20 record, enduring a number of ups and downs early in the season.
• The squad bounced back from some tough losses to start the season by winning two-of-three at the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge, one of only five Big Ten teams (including Penn State) to finish with a winning record.
• Leading the way offensively is Paul Snieder, who is hitting .365 with a home run and 12 RBI. Chad Noble isn't far behind, at .360 with two home runs and nine driven in. Zach Morton and Arby Fields are also over .300 with averages of .329 and .304, respectively. Chris Kontos leads the team in home runs with three while Chris Lashmet owns a team-leading 21 RBI.
• Friday's pitcher, Francis Brooke, has been the team's best starter, with a 3-2 record and 4.22 ERA in eight games (six starts). Saturday's starter, Eric Jokisch, has been solid with a 5.97 ERA and 2-4 record. Paul Snieder leads the team in ERA among regulars with a 2.41 mark in 18.2 innings while Matt Gailey has a 2.03 ERA in 13.1 innings.
DeBernardis Continues Hot Streak
• Sophomore Joey DeBernardis has been one of the many bright spots on the offensive side.
• Despite snapping a career-high eight-game hitting streak against Hofstra, he did draw a walk. He has now reached base in 25 of 27 games this season, recording a hit in 22 of them.
• Despite going hitless in the last two games, he has drawn a walk in each and has reached base in 18 straight games.
• DeBernardis has had multiple hits in 10 of his last 18 games, recording 27 hits in that span.
• He has also impressed on the mound, tossing a scoreless ninth inning on Tuesday to earn the win in only his second career appearance.
Offense Impresses Illionis
• As part of the opening weekend at Illinois, the Nittany Lion offense exploded for 16 runs last Friday evening.
• The 16 runs were the most since last Apr. 5 at Michigan in a 16-5 win.
• The run total also tied the most the Lions have ever scored against Illinois (the other was a 16-5 win on April 26, 2008).
• It was also the most Penn State has ever scored in a Big Ten opener. The previous high was 14 against Indiana on March 23, 2001.
• The Lions allowed 19 hits in the win. The last time they allowed 17 or more hits in a victory was on Mar. 11, 2009, an 18-16 win over Florida Gulf Coast.
• As part of the weekend, the Lions hit seven home runs (four on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday). They already have 22 long balls on the season, on pace to shatter last season's mark of 29.
• In fact, junior Ben Heath already has 50 percent more home runs (9) than last season's leader (Jordan Steranka, 6). Steranka and Mario Eramo are both on pace to top last season's leader as well. They currently have five and four, respectively.
Baseball Games To Air Online And On State College ESPN Radio
• The Penn State baseball team released its radio broadcast schedule which includes all remaining games set for Penn State All-Access and all but eight to air on WQWK, ESPN Radio 1450 AM starting in the home-opening series against Hofstra.
School Records Shattered?
• Three Penn State players are on pace to break significant single-season school records: David Lutz (appearances - record is 29, currently at 18), Sean Deegan (stolen bases - record is 27, currently at 17) and Ben Heath (home runs - record is 18, currently at 9). Deegan also has three triples, halfway from tying the school record of six.
• Lutz also could become Penn State's all-time leader in appearances. He currently has 67 (already tied for third in program history) while the record is 76.
Milestone Hit For Steranka
• Sophomore Jordan Steranka's fourth home run against Kent State (3/31) had extra special meaning. The hit marked the 100th of his career.
• Incredibly, Steranka leads all current Nittany Lions in career hits. Senior Louie Picconi is second with 90.
• With two years still to go, Steranka has a chance to finish his Lion career among the program leaders in hits. Only seven players in program history have reached 200 career hits, led by Michael Campo's school-record 295.
Lutz Turning It Up
• Redshirt senior pitcher David Lutz has impressed of late, with his 7.2 consecutive scoreless inning streak snapped vs. Kent State (3/31).
• He began on at Pittsburgh (3/24) with a season-high 4.1 scoreless innings.
• It marked his longest outing of the season and the second-longest of his career. His only longer appearance was five innings on Mar. 28, 2008 against Ohio State.
• Lutz then went on to throw three scoreless innings across two outings in the weekend series vs. Hofstra (3/26-28).
• The 7.1 straight scoreless innings broke his previous career-best streak of seven straight scoreless frames in 2008 (Mar. 28 to Apr. 2).
• Even after giving up three runs last outing, Lutz has still allowed only four runs in his last 15.1 innings (2.97 ERA). In the process he lowered his season ERA from 8.10 to 4.62. His ERA now stands at 4.45, second on the team.
• Lutz has Penn State's only save of the season when he tossed three one-hit frames against Kent State on Mar. 19.
• Incredibly, he has appeared in seven of the last eight games.
All-Time Against BIG EAST
• Next Tuesday's opponent, Pittsburgh, is out of the BIG EAST, a familiar conference to the Lions.
• With the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge destined to stay for the foreseeable future, the Nittany Lions will have their annual opportunity to face one of the top conferences in the nation.
• Winning two-of-four BIG EAST games so far this season, Penn State is now 262-138-2 against current members of that conference.
• The squad has faced Pittsburgh the most (121 times) while also playing West Virginia (105), Villanova (59) and Rutgers (54) numerous times.
• Penn State has never faced one squad - Louisville.
• In total, Penn State plays five BIG EAST teams this season, the most of any conference (other than the Big Ten) - Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall and Villanova. A home game against Pittsburgh (4/13) and road tilt at Villanova (5/18) still remain.
Going Extra
• In addition to the walk-offs, four games have gone to extra innings, with Penn State winning two.
• After a 12 game "drought," the Nittany Lions saw the Mar. 20 til against Winthrop go to extras.
• It marked the first extra-inning game since the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge. Penn State played three extra inning games in as many days, against Cincinnati, Seton Hall and Notre Dame.
• The Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge has seen four extra-inning games in its two-year history, three coming from Penn State this year.
• Penn State had four extra-inning games ALL last season, three in 2008 and four in 2007.
• The Lions are 0-2 in games ending in 10 innings, but 2-0 in games lasting longer than 10 frames.
Senior Infielder |
Comeback Kids
• Only 27 games into the season, the Nittany Lions have already staged some impressive late-inning comebacks, including Tuesday's game against Bucknell when they plated two ninth-inning runs for the victory.
• Down 5-0 against Columbia, Penn State fought back to tie the score with a run in the seventh before winning in the bottom of the ninth.
• That marked the third time this season the Lions have come back in the seventh inning or later to win a game. They were also trailing heading to the sixth inning Friday vs. Kent State before scoring two and holding on for the victory.
• It marked Penn State's first comeback win since the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge in the opening weekend of the season. It had to come back in the eighth inning or later in all three of those games to force extra innings while coming away with two victories.
• Down by two in the opener vs. Cincinnati, the squad was down to its last out (and strike) when junior Michael Glantz and senior Louie Picconi recorded back-to-back singles. Freshman Steve Snyder followed with a triple down the right field line to clear the bases and tie the score at four.
• Then against Seton Hall, Snyder led off the bottom of the eighth with a single, advanced to second on a groundout and to third on a wild pitch. He crossed the plate on a Heath Johnson sacrifice fly to even the score at two.
• The Lions came back twice against Notre Dame, scoring two runs in the seventh to knot the score at seven. Then after the Irish retook the lead, a Ben Heath home run to lead off the ninth tied the score for a second time, forcing extra innings once again.
Returning To The Lone Star State
• The 10-day Texas road swing in March was extra special for four players on the Penn State roster who are from the lone star state: Mario Eramo (Houston), Steven Hill (Colleyville), Blake Lynd (Deer Park) and Erik Rumberger (Allen).
• Junior Heath Johnson played junior college ball at Frank Phillips College in Texas and played for the Texas Collegiate League's Coppell Copperheads last summer.
• Head coach Robbie Wine also returned to the state where he played Major League Baseball. Wine played parts of two seasons with the Houston Astros.
Experiencing The "States"
• The Nittany Lions are enjoying a mini tour of the United States this season, with early games in Florida, Texas and South Carolina while later traveling to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Minnesota.
• Fittingly, Penn State is playing a number of "States." In total, they face five teams that end in State, including this past week's opponent, Kent State. They've already played two - McNeese and Texas State - while also facing Ohio and Michigan State come conference season.
• Coppin State was also on the schedule, but the Feb. 20 game was canceled.
Wanamaker Returns
• Redshirt senior pitcher Mike Wanamaker returned to the mound against Texas A&M after missing last season due to injury. He was a Second Team All-Big Ten honoree as a junior in 2008.
• On a pitch count, he tossed the first four innings last Wednesday, allowing three hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out four.
• After allowing two runs in the first inning, he bounced back by striking out the side in the second. He retired nine of 10 hitters in a span bridging the first through fourth innings.
• Wanamaker returned to the mound against Kent State, tossing six strong innings for his first win since 2008.
• Pitching in the home opener vs. Hofstra, Wanamaker bounced back from a tough first inning to go six innings while eclipsing the 100 pitch plateau for the first time this season.
Freshman Pitcher |
From The Pocket To The "Hill"
• Freshman pitcher Steven Hill, also a quarterback on the football team, has dazzled in his first collegiate appearances. He currently leads the team among regulars with a 3.03 ERA in 29.2 innings.
• He followed up his first-career start against Lamar (3/6), with another strong performance against Texas State (3/14). For the second time in as many starts, he tossed six innings, this time allowing only two runs to keep Penn State in the game.
• Against Cincinnati (2/26), he was summoned with runners on the corners and only one out in the top of the 10th. He struck out the first batter on three pitches before inducing a groundout to end the threat (all strikes). He then went on to retire six in a row in the 11th and 12th innings for the win.
• Then against Notre Dame (2/28), he pitched three innings in relief, only allowing one run to go along with six strikeouts. He got out of a bases loaded one out jam in the bottom of the ninth with two consecutive strikeouts.
• Hill entered into a similar situation against Columbia (3/20). With runners on first and third with only one out in the eighth, he induced two straight pop ups to work out of the jam and earn his second win.
Starting Quality
• Four Penn State pitchers - Ryan Ignas, Neal Herring, Steven Hill and Mike Wanamaker - have combined to toss nine quality starts this season.
• Ignas allowed two runs (both earned) in seven innings against Cincinnati (2/26) and McNeese State (3/5), both Nittany Lion victories.
• Herring one-upped his strong performance against Seton Hall (2/27) when he allowed two earned runs in six innings, by allowing only one earned run in six frames against Dallas Baptist (3/6). That led to his first-career victory.
• In his first-career start, Hill dazzled in his home state of Texas, allowing only one earned run in six against Lamar (3/6). He then allowed only two runs in the series finale at Texas State (3/14).
• Wanamaker then enjoyed a quality start against Kent State when he only allowed three runs in six innings for the victory.
• Ignas and Herring posted quality starts against Hofstra, each throwing seven innings while allowing one and two earned runs, respectively.
Penn State Impresses At Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge
• Penn State went 2-1 from Feb. 26-28 to tie for the top record of any Big Ten teams at the challenge.
• No Big Ten squad finished undefeated while a total of five finished 2-1. Louisville and St. John's out of the BIG EAST both went 3-0.
• It marks the second consecutive season that the Lions went 2-1 at the challenge. Last year, they were one of six Big Ten squads to do so.
A Team Effort
• The Big Ten/BIGEAST Challenge success came from a variety of sources.
• Here is what the following players contributed in the win over Cincinnati:
• Sophomore Joey DeBernardis - Walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th
• Junior Ben Heath - Double and home run
• Freshman Steven Hill - Retired all eight batters he faced (in innings 10-12) for the win
• Sophomore Ryan Ignas - Strong start, allowing only two runs in seven innings
• Freshman Steve Snyder - Game-tying triple with two outs in the ninth
• Then in the following day's 3-2 walk-off win in 13 against Seton Hall:
• Junior Heath Johnson - Tripled and scored in the first, later drove in game-tying run in the eighth with a sacrifice fly
• Sophomore Jordan Steranka - Two hits, including leadoff double and game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th
• Junior Mario Eramo - Walk-off single in the bottom of the 13th
• Freshman Neal Herring - Started and allowed only two runs in six innings of first collegiate game.
• Entire Bullpen: Redshirt senior David Lutz, freshman John Walter and junior Jesse Alfreno tossed seven scoreless innings, only allowing four hits. In total, Penn State pitchers kept Seton Hall off the board for the final eight innings.
About Wounded Warrior - May 1 Benefit Game
• May 1 against Michigan State marks a special day for Penn State baseball as it hosts a Wounded Warrior Benefit Game.
• The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project is to honor and empower wounded warriors. Its purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service members, to help severely injured men and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, apolitical organization headquartered in Jacksonville, FL. To get involved and learn more, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Nittany Lions Take Part In THON
• With its season-opening weekend canceled, the Penn State baseball team made the most of it by getting involved in THON at the Bryce Jordan Center. The 38th annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon began on Friday (Feb. 19) at 6 p.m. and lasted until Sunday at 4 p.m., raising more than $7.8 million for pediatric cancer research.
• Penn State student-athletes have always been heavily involved in THON. Baseball is normally on the road THON weekend, but with the games at Longwood canceled, the Nittany Lions were on campus, giving them the opportunity to participate. Despite being too late to enter the pep rally, the squad found time between a busy weekend of practice for Athlete Hour on Saturday.
Sophomore Third Baseman |
Baseball's Big Ten Network Schedule Released
• The Penn State baseball team will be featured at least six times on the Big Ten Network in 2010.
• The Nittany Lions open the Big Ten Network's coverage on Apr. 2 at Illinois. All three games from the weekend series can be viewed on BigTenNetwork.com.
• Penn State's complete home series vs. Iowa from May 7-9 will be shown live on the Big Ten Network as well.
• Should they make the conference tournament, the Nittany Lions would see additional games aired on the Big Ten Network. Each and every game will be televised by the Big Ten Network.
• For the complete story, please click here
Big Ten Baseball Tournament To Be Held In Columbus Through 2010
• The Big Ten Conference, Huntington Park and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission announced that Columbus, Ohio, will be home to the Big Ten Baseball Tournament for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons.
• The Big Ten played its first neutral-site tournament since 1994 at Columbus' Huntington Park in 2009 and will return to the ballpark in 2011 and 2012.
• Due to a facility conflict, the 2010 tournament will be held at Ohio State's Bill Davis Stadium.
• For the complete story, please click here
Lions Release Ticket & Promotional Information
• Penn State baseball season tickets are very affordable at $99 in the box and $63 all other sections. Youth and students are only $20!
• Ticket prices remain the same as last season with "In The Box" reserved seats for only $6 while Adult General Admission is $4 and Youth and Student General Admission are $2. In addition, groups of 20 or more can purchase General Admission tickets for only $3.
• Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone. Please call 1-877-997-7453 or (814) 272-1711, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Fans can also direct any additional questions or comments via phone, or by email (psubaseball@athletics.psu.edu).
• For more information, please click here
Baseball Signs Seven Top Recruits To National Letters Of Intent
• Penn State head baseball coach Robbie Wine announced in November the signing of seven top recruits to National Letters of Intent.
• Among the class are five of the top prospects from Pennsylvania and two from Massachusetts. The group, that will join the program in the fall of 2010, consists of two pitchers, three position players and two others who can both pitch and play in the field.
• Among the incoming freshmen are five from the Keystone State: right-handed pitcher Scott Dixon (Blairsville), outfielder Zach Ell (Plains), third baseman Kyle Redinger (Lebanon), pitcher/infielder Austin Urban (Windber) and left-handed pitcher Greg Welsh (Holland). They are set to join 15 Nittany Lion underclassmen from Pennsylvania who are scheduled to return in the fall of 2010.
• Along with the Pennsylvania talent, the Nittany Lions will welcome two from Massachusetts: catcher Alex Farkes (Boston) and right-handed pitcher/infielder TJ Jann (Westford).
• For the complete story, please click here
Milestone Game For Penn State Baseball
• Penn State played in its 3,000th all-time game on Mar. 1 of last season. Fittingly, it came against the winningest program in NCAA history, Texas.
• The Nittany Lions stand in the top 50 in all-time winning percentage among schools with a minimum of 25 years in Division I. Their all-time record is 1,835-1,188-21 (.606).
• Baseball is the oldest intercollegiate sport at Penn State, dating back to its debut in 1875. This season marks the Nittany Lions' 122nd in program history due to not fielding a team for several years in the late 1880s. Penn State is one of only a select few schools in the nation to boast a team for at least 120 years.
Baseball Camp Information Now Available
• Baseball camp information is now available.
• Just call the Sports Camp Office at (814) 865-0561 or email them at SportCampInfo@outreach.psu.edu for more information.
• Also, visit them on their website by clicking here.
Click here to order your media guide today! |
Baseball Alumni Event Set For May 7-8
• Penn State baseball's alumni event is set for May 7-8. The event coincides with Nittany Lion home games against Iowa at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. All baseball alumni are invited to attend. • Please contact the Varsity `S' Club Coordinator, Mike Milliron at varsitys@athletics.psu.edu or (814) 867-2202 with any questions or to RSVP.
• For more information, please click here.
2010 Media Guide Now Available
• The 2010 media guide is now available! In it, you can find everything you need to know about Penn State baseball including stats, player bios, a complete history section and MUCH more!
• The guide is available for PDF download, for view through the interactive website Issuu or for purchase.
• Hard copies are available for only $7. They can be purchased through the publications store on GoPSUsports.com.
• Just click here for all the information!
Sign Up For Penn State Baseball News
• Fans, want to stay up to date on the Penn State baseball team? Sign up today by contacting Justin Lafleur (jal47@psu.edu) in the Penn State Athletic Communications Department. You will receive game previews, game recaps, news releases and more, straight to your inbox!
Follow Penn State Baseball On Twitter!
• Penn State baseball is on Twitter! You can find exclusive notes and features to help stay one step ahead when following the Nittany Lions.
• Included will be live in-game scoring updates, so if you can't make it to Happy Valley, you'll still be able to follow all the action. Go to www.twitter.com and search for the username psubaseball. Or click here!
Check Back To GoPSUsports.com For Exclusive Video!
• New this season is exclusive postgame highlights and interviews on GoPSUsports.com. Check back often to the Penn State baseball YouTube page for more highlight and interview packages as the season progresses.