April 11, 2012
OAKLAND, Pa. - Penn State baseball (13-19, 2-4) struggled to get things going offensively in a 5-3 loss at Pittsburgh on Thursday night. With the game tied at two in the fifth, the Panthers scored two and maintained the lead throughout the remainder of the contest.
In his return to his hometown of Pittsburgh, senior Jordan Steranka racked up two doubles and an RBI in the loss. Junior Luis Montesinos (Miami, Fla.) also recorded two hits as he started in the No. 2 hole for the Nittany Lions. Senior Mike Franklin (Harleysville, Pa.) started on the mound, going six innings and striking out four.
The scoring for the Nittany Lions started in the second inning. Steranka led things off with a double. With the bases eventually loaded, sophomore Zach Ell (Plains, Pa.) and freshman JC Coban (Boca Raton, Fla.) each recorded RBI groundouts to give the Lions a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, Pittsburgh's first two batters got out. The Panthers would collect three hits and score two runs, all with the two outs to tie the game up at two. Then in the bottom of the fifth, a two-run single by Elvin Soto would put Pittsburgh up 4-2.
Penn State attempted to rally in the sixth inning. Montesinos, who singled earlier in the inning, made it to third on a rare two-base error by the Pittsburgh shortstop. Then with one out, Steranka hit a sac-fly to centerfield to score Montesinos and cut the Pittsburgh lead to 4-3. The Nittany Lion comeback attempt would fall short though. The Panthers would add an insurance run in the seventh inning to up their lead to 5-3.
Penn State now turns to a big three-game series this weekend at home against the Michigan Wolverines. Friday's contest at 5:05 p.m. will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. First pitch on Saturday will be at 2:05 p.m. while Sunday's contest is slated for 1:05 p.m.
This weekend's Big Ten clash with the Wolverines will include a highlight-reel of promotions. Friday will be Dollar Dog Night at the ballpark and all students will get free admission into the game as part of the Free Day Friday promotion. In addition, student season ticket holders will get free food for showing their voucher. In addition, Friday will be "Winning Weeknight Scratchoffs." The first 200 fans that show up to any weeknight game this season will receive a scratchoff ticket. Each ticket is a guaranteed winner of a Penn State Baseball prize. Saturday will be the third annual Wounded Warrior Game. The game was developed to help create awareness for wounded warriors and their sacrifices while providing useful services to meet the needs of injured service members and their families. During the game, Penn State will wear special camouflage uniforms and hold a silent auction with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project. In addition to the silent auction, fans can purchase special Penn State baseball hats for $20 to benefit the project. Additionally, a portion of each ticket sold for the game will be donated to the cause. The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to "honoring and empowering wounded warriors" of the U.S. Armed Forces. Its mission is to raise awareness while providing benefits such as quality healthcare, support groups, and compensation programs to the service members and their families.
Sunday will be THON Sluggers Day at the ballpark. For every student ticket purchased, all proceeds will be donated to THON 2013. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately referred to as THON, is a yearlong effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. Since 1977, THON has raised more than $88 million for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital.
Individual game tickets for Adult General Admission start at just $4 and just $2 for youth. Student tickets cost $2 as well. Single game tickets can be purchased at the Spikes' box office or via a link on the tickets page on GoPSUSports.com.
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