April 10, 2016
Here's the walk-off win via @BTNStudentU!! https://t.co/xmXWiGJeTP
— Penn State Baseball (@PennStateBASE) April 10, 2016
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| Medlar Field | University Park, Pa. | 784 | |
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Bowersox Postgame Comments | Walk-off play
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – For the second weekend in a row, Penn State concluded a Big Ten baseball series with a walk-off win, rallying from a one-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Michigan State, 7-6, to cap a doubleheader Saturday afternoon in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and Michigan State (21-6, 5-1 Big Ten) leading 6-5, Penn State (18-14, 5-4 Big Ten) senior first baseman Tyler Kendall (Boynton Beach, Fla.) drove in the tying run and advanced third baseman Jim Haley (Upper Darby, Pa.) to third with a single to right field. Freshman centerfielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) followed with a high-bouncing chopper to Michigan State second baseman Dan Durkin. Durkin waited on it and fielded it cleanly, but his throw pulled first baseman Jordan Zimmerman off the bag, allowing Bowersox to reach safely and Haley's game-winning run to count.
It was a fitting conclusion as Penn State had lost the lead in the top of the eighth inning on an error. With one out and runners on the corners, the Nittany Lions appeared to have successfully defended a squeeze bunt play by tagging out the lead runner attempting to score, but an errant throw attempting to nab the runner advancing to third sailed into the outfield and allowed not only that runner to score, but third baseman Justin Hovis, who originally laid down the bunt.
Right fielder Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) extended his hitting streak to nine games by going 3-for-4 with two RBI's and three runs, including the game-winning run after reaching in the ninth with one out on a hit by pitch. Haley went 3-for-5, singling in the ninth with one out after Riotto reached. The duo accounted for six of Penn State's 11 hits in the game. Kendall matched Riotto's two RBIs, as well.
RHP Jack Anderson (3-1) pitched the final three innings to secure the victory, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk with one strikeout.
The Spartans' late 6-5 lead was the only lead that they enjoyed during the game. Riotto led the bottom of the first off with a single, and he scored after Haley followed with a single, designated hitter Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa.) put down a sacrifice bunt and Kendall grounded out. Michigan State tied the game in the top of the second on a sacrifice fly by Hovis, but Penn State built a 4-1 lead with a run in the fourth and two in the fifth. Guers doubled to lead off the fourth and scored from third on an error, and Riotto and Bowersox added RBI-singles in the fifth.
However, Michigan State rallied with three runs in the sixth to knot the game back up. Durkin walked and designated hitter Brandon Hughes doubled before left fielder Taylor Grace singled to center to score both. Grace later scored the tying run on an error, and he led the Spartans in the game going 3-for-5 with three runs and the two RBIs.
The Nittany Lions went back ahead in the sixth, though, Left fielder James Coates (Girard, Ohio) led the frame off with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout before scoring easily on a two-out base hit by Riotto.
Penn State's RHP Justin Hagenman was relieved after the sixth inning, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Anderson then came on at the start of the seventh.
The seventh was scoreless for both teams before the Penn State miscues in the eighth gave the Spartans the lead. RHP Andrew Gonzalez (3-2) entered for Michigan State with one out in the seventh and did not allow any hits until the bottom of the ninth. After getting the first out of the final frame, he plunked Riotto in the foot and gave up back-to-back singles to Haley and Kendall. The error on Bowersox's chopper ended the game.
Gonzalez finished with a line of 2 1/3 innings, two hits, two runs (one earned) and the only three Spartan strikeouts of the game.
Penn State will next host Bucknell in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. It will be $1 dog night.
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.