March 7, 2013
HOUSTON, Texas - The Penn State baseball team will conclude its eight-game Spring Break trip in Texas, taking on Houston Baptist in a three-game series this weekend. The Nittany Lions (3-8) will play on March 8-10 against the Huskies (5-6-1), with all contests beginning at 3 p.m. ET. This is the first ever meeting between the two programs.
Last Time Out: The Lions fell to a 3-8 overall record after a two-game set against Houston. Redshirt junior Steve Snyder (West Chester, Pa.) led Penn State, posting a .667 batting average with six hits in nine at-bats. Snyder recorded two RBIs and stole two bases, recording his 25th stolen base along the way. Redshirt senior Elliot Searer (Lewistown, Pa.), who recently recorded his 140th career hit and 70th career run, and sophomore Taylor Skerpon (Sayre, Pa.) additionally had stellar performances. Searer came away with a .571 average between the two contests against the Cougars, as well as three runs and an RBI, while Skerpon recorded 3 RBIs.
Leading Penn State on the mound, freshman Nick Hedge (Winnetka, Ill.) took on Houston on March 5, holding the Cougars without an earned run in 4.1 innings while allowing just two hits. On March 6, redshirt senior Cody Lewis (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) held Houston scoreless and hitless in 2.1 innings of action, while striking out four batters and walking two.
Scouting the Huskies: Houston Baptist is currently hitting .260 as a team, with Mike Chamberlain leading the squad with a .361 average. Luke Clements and Jordan McCoy each hold a team-best seven RBIs, with Clements leading with 15 hits, as well. Jake Gonzalez is close behind with 14 hits, while Josh Foust leads with nine runs. Clements, Samm Wiggins, Gonzalez and McCoy currently combine for 23 RBIs, 50 hits and 24 runs for Houston.
Expected to make the start on Friday, Tyler Hoelscher currently sits with a 2-1 record and a 2.53 ERA. In 21.1 innings of action, the sophomore has allowed 18 hits and six earned runs, and has struck out 10 batters. Junior Ryan Lower and sophomore Brandon Hammerly will start on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Lower also holds a 2-1 record, allowing 17 hits and 10 earned runs in 18.0 innings for a 5.00 ERA, while Hammerly is currently 0-2 with a 7.88 ERA. The sophomore leads the team with 12 strikeouts.
Up Next: Penn State will head back out on the road next weekend, traveling to Philadelphia from March 16-17. The Lions will take on Temple in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 16 at noon, and will face Saint Joseph's on Sunday, March 17 at noon, as well.
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