March 18, 2012
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The Penn State baseball team (3-14) dropped its series finale with No. 25 East Carolina on Saturday by a score of 7-4. Despite having a 4-2 lead going into the seventh, the Nittany Lions were unable to hang on.
Junior Steven Hill (Colleyville, Texas) had a quality start, going six innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out two batters. Senior Sean Deegan (Readington, N.J.) hit two doubles and drove in two, while junior Elliot Searer (Lewistown, Pa.) had two hits and drove in one.
In the top of the second inning, Ell led things off with a single up the middle. Then with two outs and Ell at second base, Searer ripped a single up the middle to score Ell and give the Lions a 1-0 lead. The Pirates would respond with a two-spot in the bottom of the third to take a 2-1 advantage.
Then in the top of the fourth, Penn State had its big inning. Freshman Aaron Novak (Ambler, Pa.) led things off with a single and sophomore Zach Ell (Plains, Pa.) reached first base on a throwing error by the pitcher off a bunt attempt. With Novak at third, Ell got caught in a run down and Novak headed home. The throw to home was in the dirt, which allowed Novak to score and advanced Ell to third. Searer singled to score Ell and then Deegan doubled, bringing Searer in. Penn State had a 4-2 lead.
Hill's day was done after the sixth inning. The Penn State bullpen allowed six walks in the seventh, which resulted in three ECU runs, giving the Pirates a 6-4 lead.
Penn State opens its 2012 home slate on Wed. March 21, as it hosts Pittsburgh. That game will be one of the seven "Dollar Dog Nights" of the season. Another feature for the season will be "Winning Weeknight Scratchoffs." The first 200 fans that show up to a weeknight game will receive a scratchoff ticket. Each ticket is a guaranteed winner of a Penn State Baseball prize.
Season tickets for Adult General Admission start at just $63. For fans interested in the "In The Box" seats, those will start at $99. Youth General Admission tickets are the same cost as student season tickets, $20. Individual game tickets for Adult General Admission start at just $4 and just $2 for youth.
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