March 4, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Despite a quality six-inning start by junior John Walter (Haddonfield, N.J.), Penn State baseball (2-6) suffered a 4-1 setback to the Samford Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon. Walter went six innings, giving up one earned run and fanning seven in the no-decision effort.
Penn State scored in the first inning, but would get just four more hits after that. The Bulldogs would tie the game in the sixth and take the lead in the seventh. Samford's Charles Basford tossed a complete game six-hitter to earn the victory. Penn State didn't help its cause against Basford, as its hitters recorded eight first-pitch outs in the loss.
Penn State struck in the top of the first inning. Sophomore Steve Snyder (West Chester, Pa.) led off the game with a base-hit to left field to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Despite Snyder getting out on a bunt attempt, junior Elliot Searer (Lewistown, Pa.) stole second to get into scoring position. Senior Sean Deegan (Readington, N.J.) then drove him in with a double to left center field to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Samford got runners on first and second with one out. Then, the Bulldogs' leadoff hitter Zeth Stone hit an RBI double down the left field line to tie the game up at one.
In the seventh, freshman Casey Kulina (Hummelstown, Pa.) came in to get the leadoff batter. Junior Neal Herring (West Chester, Pa.) replaced Kulina, and the Bulldogs would string together some hits. A walk, four-straight hits and a fielder's choice would produce three runs, as Samford took a 4-1 lead.
The Nittany Lions will close out its three-game series with Stamford on Monday at 6 p.m. Senior right-hander Steven Hill (Colleyville, Texas) will make the start for the Nittany Lions.
Student season ticket sales for the 2012 season will begin on March 12 and continue through March 16 at the HUB, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Season tickets are just $20 and each student that purchases them will get a Penn State Baseball three-quarters sleeve t-shirt, tickets to 19 home games, a free hot dog and soda at Friday home games and two batting practice sessions with the team.
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