April 27, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State baseball (20-22, 6-7) dropped its opener to the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday night by a score of 4-1. Penn State and Ohio State square off in the second game of its series on Saturday. Please note that the start time of that game has been moved to 1:05 p.m.
Sophomore Joe Kurrasch (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) pitched another quality start for the Nittany Lions, going 6.2 innings of two-hit ball while striking out seven hitters. The one run Kurrasch gave up was unearned. Senior Jordan Steranka (Pittsburgh, Pa.) went 2-for-4 with the lone RBI for the Nittany Lions.
Penn State took an early 1-0 advantage in the first inning. With two outs, senior Joey DeBernardis (Lake Zurich, Ill.) doubled to deep right centerfield to give the Lions a runner in scoring position. Steranka then hit an RBI single up the middle to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The Buckeyes would respond in the very next inning. The cleanup hitter Mike Carroll was stuck out by Kurrasch, but reached first base on a passed ball. Carroll then reached third base on a steal and a throwing error. The Buckeyes would load the bases and David Corna walked to score a run.
The two teams would remain empty handed until the eighth inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Brad Hallberg hit an RBI single for the game-winner, putting the Buckeyes in front by a score of 2-1. Ohio State would add two more in the inning on bases loaded walks.
Coming off his no-hitter last week, junior Steven Hill (Colleyville, Texas) will take the mound on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. Penn State baseball snapback hats will be Saturday's giveaway while supplies last.
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