May 8, 2016
No. 10 |
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| 5 | 9 |
| Medlar Field | University Park, Pa. | 1326 | |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| VIDEO: Postgame Comments |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 10 TCU broke a 5-5 tie in the top of the eighth inning to defeat Penn State in non-conference baseball action Sunday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Penn State (25-23) trailed 5-3 entering the seventh inning, but tied TCU (33-12) with two runs in the frame. The Horned Frogs answered with a run in the eighth and three insurance runs in the ninth inning though to complete a three-game sweep.
First baseman Tyler Kendall (Boynton Beach, Fla.) went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, while left fielder Greg Guers (Langhorne, Pa.) went 2-for-5 with his fourth home run of the season to lead Penn State.
TCU pounded out 19 hits to Penn State's nine though, as third baseman Elliott Barzilli went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, second baseman Cam Warner and catcher Evan Skoug both went 3-for-4 and left fielder Josh Watson went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run.
TCU used five pitchers with the last, RHP Preston Guilory (2-1), earning the win. He pitched the longest going 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, with just one hit and a walk allowed. RHP Jack Anderson (4-2) suffered his first loss in which he surrendered an earned run this season. In a rare rough appearance, he allowed TCU's four runs over the last two innings, marking just the third time in 25 appearances this season he allowed multiple runs and the first time he allowed multiple earned runs.
TCU's Watson opened the scoring for the game in the top of the third inning with his two-run shot to right center, but the Nittany Lions halved the deficit in the bottom half on a sacrifice fly by Kendall, and then tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth on an RBI-single by catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.)
TCU went ahead 5-2 with three runs in the top of the fifth though. After a one-out walk and Skoug single, designated hitter Luken Baker singled through the left side to drive in one, and then a wild pitch allowed Skoug to score. After another out, Barzilli doubled to drive in Baker for the three-run advantage.
Guers homered in the bottom of the fifth to pull Penn State within two, and then doubled in the seventh to give Penn State two runners in scoring position with one out. Kendall delivered with an infield single, and then Willie Burger drove in Guers from third on a groundout.
TCU would secure the game in the eighth though. Shortstop Ryan Merrill doubled to the right gap with one out, and scored from second on an infield single and error. Barzilli, centerfielder Dane Steinhagen and Merrill added RBIs in the ninth for the final margin.
Penn State will head west for its next four games, traveling to Pittsburgh for a 6 p.m. game Wednesday and then returning to Big Ten play at Nebraska with a three-game series opening Friday.
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.