May 16, 2016
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Tuesday's game at Villanova has been canceled due to NCAA scheduling rules, so Penn State will turn its focus to a crucial, three-game Big Ten series against Iowa starting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. It will continue Friday at 6:30 p.m. before concluding Saturday at 12 p.m.
The Villanova game has been canceled as Penn State will reach the maximum number of fall exhibition and regular season games allowed (56 total) by NCAA rules with the three Iowa games. The Lions scheduled one fall exhibition game and 56 regular season games to over-schedule by one game in anticipation of losing at least one game due to weather. Penn State lost seven games due to weather last season and has not played as many as 55 regular season games since 2008.
The Iowa series will represent the home and regular season finale and the outcome will have big implications in a close Big Ten standings race. Just 2.5 games separate the fifth and 10th-place teams, with the top eight qualifying for the Big Ten Championships in Omaha, Nebraska, May 25-29. Mathematically, Penn State can finish as high as sole possession of third in the league with help, but it can also fall out of the top eight that earn a Big Ten tournament berth.
If Penn State wins all three games this weekend, Nebraska, Ohio State and Michigan get swept, and Maryland wins exactly two games over Michigan State, the Nittany Lions would end up third.
Currently tied for seventh in the league, the Lions control their own destiny, so two or more wins over Iowa would be enough to clinch a berth regardless of the other results. Penn State does not have any head-to-head tiebreakers in its favor though, so winning just one game would make it extremely difficult for the Lions to end up in the top eight. Maryland would have to get swept by Michigan State and Illinois would need to lose two or more games to Michigan.
Regardless, the Nittany Lions will need the full support of their fans. A host of promotions and events are set for this weekend. All promotions and game dates and times are subject to change.
Thursday -- 6:30 p.m.
- Spring Cleaning
- Hundreds of Penn State items from past promotions to give away!
Friday -- 6:30 p.m.
- Bark in the Park
- Bring your dog and get into the game for $1.
- Must bring proof of up-to-date vaccinations!
Saturday -- 12 p.m.
- Senior Day
- Honor the Class of 2016!
- Survivor Celebration
- Breast Cancer survivors can receive up to four free tickets by RSVPing to NittanyLionBaseball@gmail.com
- Welcome to partake in first pitch ceremony & post-game photo on the field
- Attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Record for largest First Pitch -- current record is 111
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.