May 17, 2010
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Following a tough weekend at Minnesota, the Penn State baseball team looks to rebound on Tuesday when it travels to Villanova for its final nonconference tilt of the season. Gametime is set for 3:45 p.m. Despite last weekend's defeats, the Nittany Lions (21-28, 8-13 Big Ten) are still very much in the race for a Big Ten Tournament berth with a huge home series against Michigan on the horizon.
Fans can listen live on Tuesday through Penn State All-Access while live stats will be available via GameTracker. Please note, the game will not air on ESPN Radio 1450 AM.
Villanova marks Penn State's fifth BIG EAST opponent this season. The Nittany Lions are 3-2 in those games, beating Cincinnati, Seton Hall and Pittsburgh while falling to Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. The big story last weekend was junior catcher Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.), who broke the school's single-season home run record (18) with an opposite field shot in his first at-bat inside the historic Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (see record-breaking home run below). Heath looks to continue his dominance against the BIG EAST on Tuesday; he has six long balls in those five games.
Heath also enters the game with 99 career hits, looking to become the third Penn State batter to record his 100th career hit this season. Ironically, the 100th hits from sophomore Jordan Steranka (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and senior Louie Picconi (North Merrick, N.Y.) both left the yard, against Kent State and Ohio State, respectively.
The Wildcats started the season on fire, but have cooled off in conference play. Overall, they're still 28-21, but only 8-16 in the BIG EAST. They enter their final conference weekend two games out of a BIG EAST Tournament berth.
Head Coach Robbie Wine will be looking for his first win against the Wildcats. Penn State leads the all-time series, 30-29, but has dropped the last six dating back to 2003.
With one series remaining, the Nittany Lions could still finish among the top six in the Big Ten standings. This weekend's series against the Wolverines features games on Thursday (6:35 p.m.), Friday (5:05) and Saturday (1:05). Jordan Steranka figurines will be given away on Thursday, Friday is Kid's Day, Dollar Hot Dog Night and Scoreboard Picture Frame giveaways while Saturday is Fan Appreciation Day. A ton more promotions are scheduled, so come out to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to cheer on the Lions. Purchase your tickets today!
Season and individual game tickets are now available 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. for more information. Fans can also direct any additional questions or comments via phone, or by email (psubaseball@athletics.psu.edu).
Baseball camp information is now available. Call the Sports Camp Office at (814) 865-0561 or email them at SportCampInfo@outreach.psu.edu for more information.
Follow Penn State baseball on Twitter: www.twitter.com/psubaseball.