May 2, 2015
| 12 | 10 |
| Medlar Field at Lubrano Park | University Park, Pa. | Attn: 1321 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| VIDEO: Postgame Comments |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Trailing 9-1 entering the bottom of the fourth inning, Penn State scored 11 runs over the next three innings for its largest comeback win of the season to defeat Rutgers, 12-10, in Big Ten baseball action Saturday afternoon in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Penn State (16-26, 4-12 B1G) scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to key the comeback, highlighted by a bases-clearing triple by left fielder Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa,), who extended his hitting streak to 15 games by going 2-for-5 with four RBIs. The Nittany Lions matched their season high of 18 hits previously set in the season opener, led by shortstop Jim Haley (Upper Darby, Pa.), who went 4-for-5 with a triple, double, two singles and three runs scored.
Centerfielder Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, and second baseman Taylor Skerpon (Sayre, Pa.) went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. The duo drove in the tying and go-ahead runs, respectively, in the sixth inning.
Rutgers (15-30-1, 5-12 B1G) scored five runs in the first inning, yielded an RBI-single to Skerpon in the second, and scored two runs each in the third and fourth innings to build its eight-run advantage.
However, the Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with no outs, and catcher Nick Graham (Chambersburg, Pa.) drew a walk to plate the first run. The Scarlet Knights recorded the first out on a pop up, but Guers' triple cleared the bases to pull the Lions within four at 9-5. Guers then scored on an RBI-single by right fielder Aaron Novak (Ambler, Pa.).
Haley singled to join Novak on the base paths, and after another pop up, Riotto dropped a bloop double into the gap to drive in the pair and make it a one-run game.
The Knights added a run in the fifth for a two-run cushion, but an RBI-single to score Skerpon from Guers made it a 10-9 game. Riotto, Skerpon and Graham then came through with RBI-singles in the sixth for the tying, go-ahead and insurance runs, respectively.
RHP Jack Anderson (4) picked up his fourth save in as many nights, entering for the final out in the seventh and pitching the final two innings, allowing just two walks and striking out one. RHP Tom Mullin (4-0) earned his team-best fourth win of the season, yielding just a run on two hits in 2 1/3 innings of relief with one strikeout. LHP Taylor Lehman started but, struggled with his command and only went 1 2/3 innings, surrendering the first five runs on three hits, three walks and two hit batsmen.
RHP John O'Reilly (4-2) yielded four runs (two earned) on six hits to suffer the loss. RHP Howie Brey started and held PSU in check for the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. He finished the frame and was charged with eight runs on 10 hits and three walks with the only two strikeouts.
Rutgers had four players post two-hit games, led by first baseman Chris Folinusz, who was one of three players to post two RBIs.
Penn State will go for the series sweep in its home finale Sunday at 1 p.m. The team's seniors will be honored after the game.