May 4, 2015
By Matt Allibone, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - It was the best Jim Haley had felt at the plate in a long time.
The Nittany Lions shortstop had just finished off a dominant performance, going 4 for 5 with two singles, a double and a triple during Penn State's 12-10 comeback victory over Rutgers on Saturday. Asked how he felt, the sophomore told it like it was.
"Honestly, today was one of those days I was invincible at the plate," Haley said. "Every time I went to the plate, [my mindset was] I know I'm getting a hit here. I was seeing the ball really well and it worked out well for me."
Haley wasn't the only one feeling that way during the weekend series against the Scarlet Knights. In a three game sweep, Penn State piled up 28 total runs, winning by final scores 8-1, 12-10 and 8-5.
Along the way, the Nittany Lions totaled a whopping 37 hits, including an astounding 18 on Saturday as they overcame an early 9-1 deficit to claim an improbable victory that clinched the series.
That win came after a comfortable 8-1 victory Friday night. On Sunday, the Lions saw an early 2-0 lead slip away yet battled back multiple times to clinch the sweep with an 8-5 win.
According to head coach Rob Cooper, the key to the offensive explosion was staying patient and not getting frustrated after last weekend's setbacks to Big Ten leading Illinois.
"Last year we would have had a series like Illinois where we had great at-bats but nothing to show for it and guys would have gone away from their approach," Cooper said. "This year, guys are more mature, and they said we're going to take the same approach and have something to show for it."
While the Lions had multiple standout performers, the star of the weekend really was Haley, who put together the best series of his still young career. The 6-foot-2 shortstop hit .538 over the course of the weekend and raised his season average from .278 to .299.
He also produced while hitting in multiple spots in the lineup. After hitting cleanup like usual during his banner day on Saturday, Cooper moved him up to second on Sunday. The Philadelphia area native responded by going 2 for 4 with an RBI and three runs scored.
"It was weird today, I was a little messed up in the head," Haley said with a smile on Sunday. "But I didn't mind it. I'll hit first, second, third, fourth, wherever."
But Haley wasn't the only Penn State hitter to thrive despite being moved around in the order. Greg Guers also continued his season-long power onslaught while hitting in two different spots.
On Friday, the 6-foot-3 outfielder ripped his seventh home run of the season while batting second as usual. With leadoff hitter James Coates getting a day off on Sunday however, the slugger was moved to the top of order and started the afternoon off with a monster blast to right field in the first inning.
Overall, Guers hit .417 and drove in six RBIs over the weekend. He is now hitting .291 on the season and is leading the Lions in home runs (eight) and RBIs (37).
"I think everybody had a feeling he was going to hit a home run [on Sunday]," senior Aaron Novak said. "It looks pretty effortless for him up there."
Yes, it certainly does look easy for Guers right now. But what impressed his coach the most was not his two home runs, but the bunt he laid down to advance a runner in the eight inning on Sunday.
For Cooper, Guers and Haley are two players that have benefited not only from hard work and coaching, but also their willingness to fill any role.
"I knew we were going to give Coates the day off, so then it's a matter of lets get Guers up as many times as possible," Cooper said. "He's locked in right now. It's really important because he hits a home run, hits line drives throughout the game and then gets a big bunt down, that's a complete offensive player.
"Haley's really stating to stay inside the ball a bit more. It's a testament to him and his approach but also to [hitting coach Ross] coach Oeder and the fact that he continues to work with these guys."
Still, they weren't only players to shine against the Scarlet Knights. Novak raised his season average to .346 with a two-hit day on Sunday while Tyler Kendall also went 2 for 4 with two RBIs in the final game.
It was a team effort, something that the Nittany Lions will look to continue during their final two regular season series. The Blue and White are 16-13 since March 17 and still looking to improve.
"We're just staying consistent with our approach," Novak said. "Nobody's trying to do too much, just trying to stay inside the ball and it's paid off. We're hitting balls hard."