March 11, 2017
| 6 | 1 |
| John Smith Field | Sacramento, Calif. | 685 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| Video: Postgame Comments |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sophomore Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) factored in on all six runs and four Penn State pitchers limited Sacramento State to just two hits in a 6-1 victory for the Nittany Lions in non-conference baseball action Saturday afternoon in John Smith Field.
To lead the Penn State (6-8) offense, Burger went 3-for-5, a triple shy of the cycle, with a three-run home run helping him total four RBIs and six runs on the day. Left fielder Braxton Giavedoni (Punxsutawney, Pa.) had an RBI-double and was one of four Nittany Lions to have a two-hit game.
Freshman RHP Cole Bartels (Belmont, Mass.) impressed in his first career start. He pitched 3 2/3 innings after pitching 1 2/3 innings Wednesday, and he allowed just one unearned run on two hits and two walks. Bartels faced the minimum through the first three innings before a single, walk and error, all with two outs, allowed Sacramento State (8-6) to score their first and only run. Bartels was lifted for RHP Dakota Forsyth (2-0) (Bethel Park, Pa.), who was able to induce a pop-up to get out of the inning, and then he pitched the next two innings, allowing only a walk and hit batsman while striking out one.
Led by Forsyth, three Nittany Lions relievers held the Hornets hitless the rest of the game. RHP Eric Mock (Shillington, Pa.) allowed just a walk over 1 2/3 innings and LHP Taylor Lehman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) was perfect in getting the final four outs.
Burger drove in the first run in the top of the first inning. Centerfielder Mason Nadeau (Lansdale, Pa.) singled with one out, second baseman Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) followed with a walk, and both moved into scoring position on a double steal during Burger's at bat. Burger then hit a grounder into the hole at short, allowing Nadeau to score.
Burger then took advantage of a leadoff error in the third, as his three-run home run came with two outs. It was his third home run of the season and the team's 10th after hitting 16 in all of 2016. Freshman catcher Brett Davis (Manhattan Beach, Calif.), who reached on the error, and Hughes, who walked, were on base.
Sacramento State took advantage of a miscue in the fourth for its only run. However, the Lions went back up by four in the top of the fifth, as Hughes and Burger hit back-to-back singles to lead off the frame, designated hitter Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) sacrificed them into scoring position, and Giavedoni took advantage of the bright California sun to drive in Hughes, as the right fielder was unable to find the ball in the sky and it landed for a double.
Burger doubled in the ninth and scored from second on an error for the final margin.
The Hornets used six different pitchers, with starter RHP Max Karnos (0-1) suffering the loss after surrendering three runs (one earned) on one hit and two walks with one strikeout.
The win gave Penn State a 4-3 record for the week in California, with series wins over both Pacific and Sacramento State. It marks Penn State's first winning spring break trip since 2011, and its most wins in the first 14 games since 2011.
Penn State will return to State College Sunday and is scheduled to take on Delaware in a four-game home-and-home series starting Thursday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Penn State Coaches Show presented by Pepsi with Rob Cooper will start Monday at 6 p.m. on GoPSUsports.com. Local fans can also tune in on State College's ESPN Radio 1450 AM or join Cooper and host Brian Tripp at Lettermans Grill.
Season, flex and single-game ticket options for the 2017 Penn State baseball season in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park are now on sale by clicking here or by calling the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park ticket office at 814-272-1711.
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