April 1, 2016
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Medlar Field | University Park, Pa. | Attn: 894
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Senior first baseman Tyler Kendall (Boynton, Beach, Fla.) lined an RBI-triple into the 410-foot "Nook" at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to drive in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to lead Penn State past Purdue, 3-1, in Big Ten baseball action Friday night.
Penn State (13-12, 2-2 Big Ten) and Purdue (4-18, 0-4 Big Ten) had been tied at 1-1 since the top of the fourth inning, but the Nittany Lions took the lead for good with two runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend their winning streak to four. Third baseman Jim Haley (Upper Darby, Pa.) led the frame off with a double to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and was sacrificed to third to bring Kendall to the dish. Haley trotted home easily as Kendall roped a triple into the deepest part of the park in left-center field.
It was Kendall's first career triple and it gave him a 3-for-4 night. Joining him with a 3-for-4 performance was freshman centerfielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.), who bounced a single off the pitchers' mound, over the shortstop to drive in Kendall for an insurance run. The No. 5-6 duo in the lineup accounted for half of Penn State's 12 hits on the night.
The Nittany Lions were also strong on the mound. RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) (1-1) made his 84th career appearance and earned the win in relief. He entered the game with one out in the top of the eighth with runners on first and second and induced an inning-ending double play, and then struck out the side in the ninth for his first win of the season.
Penn State received a strong start from LHP Taylor Lehman (Pittsburgh, Pa.), who yielded just one run in the first 6 1/3 innings and struck out four. He scattered seven hits and did not walk anyone until the seventh when he allowed two to reach. RHP Dakota Forsyth (Bethel Park, Pa.) relieved Lehman in the seventh and worked an inning.
First baseman Kyle Wood paced Purdue for the evening, reaching base four times and going 3-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored.
Runs were difficult to come by early on with both teams stranding runners. Purdue left two runners in scoring position in the first inning and Penn State did the same in the second. The Lions were first on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning though, leading the frame off with three consecutive hits resulting in a run.
Second baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) led off with a double, shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) singled him to third, and Helsel scored on a single up the middle by Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.). A sacrifice bunt moved Hughes and Riotto into scoring position, but RHP Mike Lutz was able to retire the next two batters to end the threat.
Purdue tied the game the very next inning. Wood led the frame off with a double, he advanced to third on a one out single, and scored on a squeeze bunt by right field Alec Olund.
The Nittany Lions appeared poised to go back ahead in the bottom half with runners on the corners and just one out, but RHP Gavin Downs (0-1) relieved Lutz and the Lions lined into an inning-ending double play.
Downs kept the Lions in check until the eighth, when he yielded the go-ahead runs.
Penn State and Purdue will conclude the series with a doubleheader starting at noon Saturday.
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.