March 30, 2016
| 5 | 2 |
Medlar Field | University Park, Pa. | Attn: 864
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) and Jim Haley (Upper Darby, Pa.) combined to drive in all five Penn State runs and strong pitching kept the Binghamton offense in check as the Nittany Lions defeated the Bearcats, 5-2, in non-conference baseball action Wednesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Winners of seven of its last nine games, Penn State improved to 12-12 on the season to continue its best start since 2011. Riotto reached base three times and went 2-for-4 with a career-high matching three RBIs, while Haley went 2-for-5 with a two-RBI triple to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The duo, which batted No. 1 and No. 2 in the lineup, drove in three unearned runs in the fourth inning to give the Lions a lead they would not relinquish.
Additionally, freshman right fielder Jordan Bowersox enjoyed his sixth two-hit game and scored both times he reached.
On the mound for the Blue and White, LHP Nick Hedge (Winnetka, Ill.) (2-1) went 5 1/3 innings to earn the win, yielding one run on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. He was relieved by RHP Nick Distasio (Oley, Pa,) after getting into a jam in the sixth with two runners in scoring position and just one out. Distasio answered with two strikeouts and yielded just one hit and one unearned run over 2 2/3 innings of work, finishing with four strikeouts.
RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) (8) took over in the ninth for his eighth save of the season and 20th of his career. He retired the side, striking out the first two batters. He now needs just two more saves to equal the Penn State career record and three more to equal the single-season record. It was also his 83rd career appearance, moving him to within two of the program record in the category.
Binghamton (7-15) was paced offensively by first baseman Brendan Skidmore, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI and walk. The Bearcats used eight different pitchers with LHP Robert Brown (0-1) taking the hard-luck loss after getting charged with the three unearned runs in the fourth.
Penn State was first to score, getting one across in the second inning when Riotto was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) and Bowersox had led the inning off with back-to-back singles and Sloniger drew a one out walk to load them.
Binghamton evened the game again the very next frame though, as centerfielder CJ Krowiak doubled and then scored from second on a wild pitch.
Penn State went back ahead in the fourth with three unearned runs. A pair of errors helped load the bases, and Riotto drove in the first run of the frame by hitting into a fielder's choice. Haley then delivered with a triple to the right gap to drive in two more.
Riotto came through again in the sixth with two outs, pulling an RBI-single into right field for a 5-1 lead. Binghamton added an unearned run in the eighth for the final margin.
Penn State will next host a Big Ten series for the first time this season as Purdue will open a three-game series Friday at 6:30 on Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Purchase Penn State baseball tickets by visiting GoPSUsports.com or calling 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.