April 6, 2015
| 7 | 8 |
| Bill Davis Stadium | Columbus, Ohio | Attn: 667 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| VIDEO: Postgame Comments |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Penn State was unable to hold on to a one-run lead in the ninth, falling in walk-off fashion for a second consecutive game, as Ohio State rallied with two runs to defeat the Nittany Lions, 8-7, in Big Ten baseball action Monday afternoon in Bill Davis Stadium.
The loss spoiled a career day for third baseman Ryky Smith (York, Pa.), who went a career best 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Left fielder Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa.) also had a strong day at the plate for Penn State (8-18, 1-4 B1G), hitting a three-run home run and doubling.
Centerfielder Troy Montgomery continued to lead Ohio State (22-7, 7-2 B1G), going 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored. With the Buckeyes trailing 7-6, he led the bottom of the ninth off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Connor Sabanosh to quickly tie the game. Right fielder Pat Porter, who went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, singled to right and advanced to second when his ball was mishandled. First baseman Troy Kuhn, who was 0-for-4 on the day when he stepped into the batter's box, then roped a double down the right field line to score Porter and end the game.
The Nittany Lions had led, 7-6, after the seventh inning, rallying from an early 5-1 deficit after the second inning. Guers' three-run home run with two outs and a full count in the fourth pulled the Lions back into the game, 5-4. PSU tied the game the next inning, as Smith blooped a single inside the right field line in the fifth to drive in centerfielder Ryan Richter (Wayne, Pa.), who had singled and stole second.
Ohio State regained the lead in the sixth on an RBI-single by Craig Nennig, but Penn State took its first lead of the series in the top of the seventh. First baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) led the frame off with a double, moved to third on a bunt-single by Richter and scored on a groundout by pinch hitter J.J. White (Lansdowne, Va.) to tie the game. Smith then drove in Richter for the go-ahead run with a double off the wall in left.
RHP Trace Dempsey (6-1) earned the win after retiring the side in the top of the ninth. RHP Sal Biasi (Hazleton, Pa.) (0-2) suffered the loss, as he was responsible for both runs in the ninth. He had entered the game in the sixth inning and had allowed just one inherited runner to score. He ultimately went 3 1/3 innings, allowing the two runs on four hits, and a walk with one strikeout. RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) had relieved Biasi in the ninth, but allowed the double to Kuhn.
LHP Nick Distasio (Oley, Pa.) started and went five-plus innings for the Blue and White, allowing six runs (four earned), on five hits and two walks.
Penn State scored its first run in the second inning all year to tie the game at 1-1 early, ending a lengthy scoreless streak for Ohio State's LHP Ryan Riga. Riga had not allowed a run in his last 29.0 innings pitched, but three consecutive singles from Smith, catcher Alex Malinsky (Apex, N.C.) and right fielder Aaron Novak (Ambler, Pa.) with two outs loaded the bases, and he balked to score Smith.
Riga left after the fourth inning, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks with five strikeouts.
Ohio State scored in the first on an RBI-groundout by Porter, who had made a diving catch in right field in the top half to prevent Penn State from scoring at least two runs. Second baseman Grant L. Davis and Porter both had two-RBI singles in the second inning, taking advantage of a pair of Lion errors.
Penn State will open a five-game homestand Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. against Bucknell. In celebration of the Major League season starting, fans that wear the hat of a Major League Baseball team Tuesday will get in free.
Due to the Monday game, head coach Rob Cooper's live radio show, "The Inside Pitch," will air Thursday at 6 p.m. on State College's ESPN Radio 1450 and GoPSUsports.com. Fans are also encouraged to attend in person at LettermanS in State College.