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Medlar Field | University Park, Pa. | Attn: 687
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Niagararallied with four runs in the sixth inning to spoil Penn State's home opener, 4-3, in non-conference baseball action Friday evening at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Freshman shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) went 4-for-5 and first baseman Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) drove in two runs to lead Penn State (5-10), but the Nittany Lions were unable to score again after taking a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.
Niagara (3-15) was paced by third baseman Geoff Seto, who went 3-for-5, while shortstop Greg Cullen and right fielder Taylor Hackett both had two hits and an RBI. Hackett's RBI proved to be the game winner.
The Nittany Lions totaled 12 hits but stranded 12, including five in the last two innings. RHP Matt McCuen earned his first save of the season for Niagara, pitching the final 1 2/3 innings, and striking out two and surrendering just one hit and two walks. RHP Cody Eckerson (1-2) earned the win, pitching six innings and allowing three runs on nine hits with four strikeouts.
Penn State held a 3-0 lead early, scoring runs in the second and fourth innings. The Nittany Lions loaded the bases in the second and had a run score on a double play hit into by Willie Burger for the game's first run. Burger then delivered with a two-RBI double in the fourth.
LHP Taylor Lehman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) cruised through the first five innings but surrendered four runs in the sixth inning as Niagara rallied and took the lead. With two runners in scoring positon the first run came across on a wild pitch, and then Cullen followed with an RBI double that blooped into shallow left field to pull within one. With one out, another wild pitch with a runner on third tied the game, and Hackett singled up the middle with two outs for the go-ahead run.
RHP Dakota Forsyth (Bethel Park, Pa.) and RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings each in relief to keep the Lions in contention. It was Anderson's 78th career appearance, moving him within seven of the program record. Lehman worked 5 2/3 innings, and yielded the four runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Penn State and Niagara will play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m. The series was originally scheduled to conclude Sunday, but was moved up to Saturday due to the threat of poor weather.
All ticket options for the 2016 Penn State baseball season are on sale. All prices are remaining the same from last season. Season tickets are $60 and Penn State student and youth (12 and under) season tickets are priced at $20. A single game ticket costs $5 for adults and $3 for PSU students and youths. With the exception of the TCU series and group sales, all tickets are general admission. Click here to purchase or call the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park ticket office at 814-272-1711. For more information on Penn State baseball tickets please call 814-272-1711 or email Stephen Christ schrist@statecollegespikes.com.