May 14, 2016
| 7 | 4 |
| Hawks Field | Lincoln, Neb. | 5,050 | |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| VIDEO: Postgame Comments |
LINCOLN, Neb. – LHP Nick Hedge (Winnetka, Ill.) was strong in seven innings and Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa.) hit his second three-run home run in as many games, as Penn State defeated Nebraska, 7-4, in Big Ten baseball action Friday evening on Hawks Field in Haymarket Park.
Guers now has three home runs in his last three games for a team-best six on the season. He went 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly in addition to the three-run blast for a season high-matching four-RBI night. The homer came in the eighth inning and gave Penn State (27-23, 11-8 Big Ten) insurance runs it would need.
Designated hitter Tyler Kendall (Boynton Beach, Fla.) also had a big night at the plate for the Nittany Lions, going 3-for-4 with a double and walk to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Additionally, centerfielder James Coates (Girard, Ohio) walked three times to reach 101 for his career, stole a base and scored twice. Catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) went 2-for-5 with an RBI, and right fielder Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) went 2-for-5 with two runs and a diving catch in the outfield.
Hedge (5-2) enjoyed one of the finest outings of his career, allowing three runs on seven hits and four walks with a season high-matching five strikeouts in seven-plus innings pitched. He kept Nebraska (31-18, 11-8 Big Ten) scoreless through the first six innings in his first Big Ten and weekend start of the season.
RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) (13) earned his second save in as many nights working the final two innings, allowing one run on three hits with one strikeout. He extended his single-season and career records (25) in the category, as well as his career appearances record (96). His 26 appearances on the season tie him for sixth all-time at Penn State, trailing a pair of his previous seasons as he appeared 29 times (t-2nd) in 2015 and 27 times (t-4th) in 2014.
The Huskers were led by right fielder Jake Meyers, who went 3-for-5 with a run and RBI. Third baseman Jake Placzek went 2-for-5 with a run and three others had an RBI each. RHP Derek Burkamper (5-2) went five innings, surrendering three runs on six hits and four walks with one strikeout.
After two scoreless innings to start the game, Penn State scored twice in the third inning. Sloniger and Riotto singled to lead-off the inning and were sacrificed over a base by third baseman Jim Haley (Upper Darby, Pa.), and then Guers flied out to centerfield to drive in Sloniger. Riotto then scored from third on a controversial strikeout-wild pitch. As first baseman Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) left the batter's box after swinging and missing, he inadvertently kicked the ball. Since it was not a batted ball and Burger's contact was unintentional, everyone was ruled safe.
Coates drew his 99th career walk to lead off the fourth inning and was sacrificed to second by shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.), putting him in scoring position for Sloniger. Sloniger delivered with another single up the middle to score Coates for a 3-0 lead. Coates' 100th career walk in the fifth loaded the bases, but a fly out ended the inning.
Nebraska got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning. Hedge walked a pair and pinch-hitter Jesse Wilkening singled to right center to drive in one. The Lions turned a sensational 5-4-3 (Haley to Christian Helsel to Burger) double play to end the inning though.
The Lions added important insurance runs the next frame on Guers' three-run shot. The Huskers had Penn State down to its final outs when the top of the order came up, but Riotto and Haley both singled and Guers battled a 1-2 count into a full count before launching the ball beyond the right field fence for a 6-1 lead.
The Huskers did not go quietly though. A walk and two singles in the bottom of the eighth resulted in another run and chased Hedge. Anderson surrendered a single up the middle to the first batter he faced to allow another run to score and make it a three-run game. Anderson struck out the next batter and appeared to be out of the inning on the next, but an error extended the inning and loaded the bases. Hughes, Helsel and Burger were able to turn a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning though.
Coates added another Lion run in the top of the ninth. He walked and advanced to second on a base hit by Hughes. During Sloniger's at-bat, the on-base duo attempted a double steal, and the throw to third was in time but it got through into left field, allowing Coates to score.
Nebraska was able to get a run off of Anderson in the ninth for the final margin.
It was Penn State's first win over Nebraska in five all-time meetings since the Huskers joined the Big Ten in 2012.
The series will continue Saturday at 3:05 p.m. ET before concluding Sunday starting at 12:35 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.