| 7 | 2 |
| 7 | 6 |
Medlar Field | University Park, Pa. | Attn: 856
| Game 1: Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| Game 2: Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| VIDEO: Coach Cooper Postgame Comments | Malinsky, Guers Postgame Comments |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State won both ends of a Big Ten baseball doubleheader Saturday to complete a series sweep over Purdue, taking the first game, 7-2, and the second, 7-6, in the 12th inning on a walk-off double by Alex Malinsky (Apex, N.C.) The win extended Penn State's winning streak to six games and its home winning streak to nine.
In the second game, Penn State (15-12, 4-2 Big Ten) and Purdue (4-20, 0-6 Big Ten) were tied at 4-4 from the sixth inning until the top of the 12th. RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) (2-1) helped keep it close with a season-high 4 2/3 innings pitched, entering in the eighth inning. It was his 85th career appearance, which tied thePenn State program record.
The Boilermakers broke the tie on a two-RBI single by third baseman Brett Carlson, who went 3-for-6 with three RBIs in the game. Both scoring runners had reached on errors and gave Purdue a 6-4 lead.
The Nittany Lions did not relent though. Designated hitter Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa.), led the bottom half off with a double, and with one out, scored from second on a single up the middle by centerfielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) to make it a 6-5 game. James Coates (Girard, Ohio) followed with a single that dropped just in front of the centerfielder, which brought Malinsky to the dish for his first at-bat of the series.
Malinsky was an unlikely hero, as he entered the game defensively in the top of the 12th inning and was just 1-for-14 on the season. His lone hit was in the season's second game in February, but he delivered on a 1-1 pitch by driving a liner to left-center, and it split the outfielders, allowing Bowersox and Coates to both score.
RHP Alex Lyons (1-2) suffered the loss for Purdue. He entered to get the final out in the 11th inning, but was touched for three runs on four hits in the 12th. RHP Tanner Andrews had limited Penn State to just two hits and three walks in seven innings of relief with four strikeouts.
Purdue had taken its first lead of the series in the first inning of the game. Left fielder Jack Picchiotti led the game off with a double and later scored on a groundout by first baseman Kyle Wood. The Boilermakers would go ahead 2-0 in the second inning on an RBI-single by second baseman Cody Strong.
Penn State would come back in the third and fourth innings. Second baseman Christian Helsel doubled to lead off the third and later scored on a sacrifice fly by right fielder Nick Riotto. Helsel went 3-for-5 in the game with two doubles to lead Penn State along with Guers' 3-for-5 day.
The Lions would then take a 4-2 lead the next frame with three runs. Coates drove in one on a groundout and Helsel and Hughes drove in a run each with back-to-back singles.
Purdue tied the game in the top of the sixth inning though on RBI-singles by Carlson and Strong.
Penn State stranded two in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth, Purdue left a runner at third in the eighth and hit into a double play to end the ninth, and a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth resulted in extra innings.
Both teams went down in order in the 10th, but Purdue looked poised to go back ahead in the 11th when it placed runners on the corners with one out. A squeeze bunt play failed though when the ball went right back to Anderson for the easy toss home, and a groundout ended the frame.
The Nittany Lions thought they had it won in the bottom half when Haley nearly beat out an infield single with two runners in scoring position, but he was called out to end the inning.
The day's first game was all but decided in the third inning when Penn State took a 5-0 lead. RHP Sal Biasi (3-3) went a career-long 7 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and four walks with seven strikeouts for the Lions.
Penn State took the lead in the first inning on an RBI-single by first baseman Tyler Kendall (Boynton Beach, Fla), who posted his second straight 3-for-4 game. With one out, Haley hustled down the line to prevent an inning-ending double play on a fielder's choice, Guers walked to move him into scoring position, and then Kendall plated him with a single to right.
The Lions broke the game open in the third inning with four runs. Riotto and Haley led the inning off with singles, and Guers slapped a hit up the middle after faking a bunt to drive in the first run. RHP Matt Frawley (1-2) battled back to retire the next two batters, but Coates blooped a double to shallow left field to drive in Haley and Guers. Catcher Nick Graham (Chambersburg, Pa.) was hit by a pitch and then Helsel singled to left for the five-run advantage.
Frawley lost his command in the fifth though and walked the bases loaded with one out. He finished with a line of 4 1/3 innings pitched, six hits, six runs and six walks with four strikeouts.
After he was relieved, Helsel drew a four-pitch walk to push a run home for a 6-0 lead.
The Boilermakers spoiled the shutout in the eighth inning, as Nick Dalesandro hit a sacrifice fly and right fielder Alec Olund doubled to left field to drive in another run.
Kendall added an RBI single in the eighth for the final margin.
Penn State will next host Pittsburgh Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
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.