March 19, 2016
| 4 | 1 |
| 16 | 4 |
Medlar Field | University Park, Pa. | Attn: 1005
| G1: Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| G2: Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| VIDEO: Postgame Comments |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State claimed both ends of a doubleheader against Niagara Saturday in non-conference baseball action at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, earning a 4-1 win in the first game and a convincing 16-4 win in the second.
RHP Sal Biasi (Hazleton, Pa,) (2-2) pitched five scoreless innings of relief for Penn State (7-10) in the first game with five strikeouts, allowing just three hits and three walks, while RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) picked up his fourth save of the season and moved within six of the school's all-time appearance record by limiting Niagara (3-17) to two hits and a walk while striking out two over the final two innings.
The Nittany Lions took command of the second game in the first inning when the Purple Eagles yielded six unearned runs despite not getting a hit. Penn State scored in each of the next five innings while RHP Justin Hagenman (Voorhees, N.J.) (3-1) worked six innings without allowing an earned run. He was touched for four unearned runs and gave up seven hits, but struck out five while not allowing any walks.
Freshman Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) and sophomore Nick Graham (Chambersburg, Pa.) led the Nittany Lion attack with career days, reaching base six times each. Burger went 4-for-4 with four runs, three RBI and two walks, while Graham went 3-for-3 with five RBIs a walk and hit by pitch.
Niagara scored the day's first run on an RBI-single by right fielder Taylor Hackett in the very first inning, which would give the Purple Eagles their only lead of the day. Hackett finished the first contest a game-high 3-for-5.
Penn State answered in the bottom of the third inning, on a two-out, RBI-single by freshman shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.)
Jim Haley (Upper Darby, Pa.), who led Penn State with two of its eight hits in the first contest drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning. James Coates (Girard, Ohio) led the frame off with a walk and stole second to move into scoring position. Haley followed with a base hit to left field to drive him home from second.
The Lions added insurance runs in the seventh. Haley and right fielder Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) led the frame off with base hits and a sacrifice fly from Tyler Kendall (Boynton Beach, Fla.) plated Haley from third. Hughes replaced Riotto on the base paths after hitting into a fielder's choice, but stole second and scored from there on a shot up the middle by Burger.
Niagara struggled to find the strike zone early in the second game, as the Lions sent 12 batters to the plate with none getting a hit off three different Niagara pitchers. The six runs were the result of an error, six walks, two hit batsmen and a wild pitch.
For the game, seven Niagara pitchers would combine to issue eight walks and hit seven.
Freshman Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) added a two-out, RBI single in the second inning to score Burger, who had singled and then advanced to second after a hit batsman.
The Lions scored four runs on six hits in the third inning. Haley and Riotto led the frame off with base hits and Kendall, Burger, Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) and Graham drove in runs. Graham doubled for the game's lone extra-base hit.
The Purple Eagles cut into Penn State's 11-0 lead in the top of the fourth with four unearned runs on three errors, but Penn State would score five runs over the next three innings for the final margin. Graham drove in the lone run in the fifth and both in the sixth.
Penn State will play its next games at home, hosting West Virginia Tuesday and Rhode Island Wednesday. Both games are set to start at 6:30 p.m.
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.