March 11, 2017
| 3 | 11 |
| John Smith Field | Sacramento, Calif. | 829 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| Video: Postgame Comments |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. ââ'¬" Sacramento State only padded an early lead to even the series with Penn State, earning an 11-3 victory in non-conference baseball action Friday evening in John Smith Field.
Penn State (5-8) was paced by catcher Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) and shortstop Joe Weisenseel (Strongsville, Ohio) with an RBI each, and Keith Leavitt (Manchester, Mass.) hit his first career home run, but the Nittany Lions were limited to six hits.
RHP Parker Brahms (2-1) was perfect through the first four innings for Sacramento State (8-5) and pitched through the seventh inning, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. Designated hitter Drew Lehman and third baseman Brandon Hunley powered the offense, both going 3-for-4 with three RBIs each.
Sacramento State jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a two-out double by left fielder Andrew McWilliam, as Lehman drew a one-out walk and right fielder James Outman drew a two-out walk. Lehman scored on the hit while Outman was aided by a bobble in the outfield.
The Hornets went ahead 5-0 in the second as three base hits loaded the bases for Lehman, who cleared them with a double to left field. An RBI-single by Dawsen Bacho in the third put Sac State ahead by six, and an RBI-double by Hunley in the fifth put Sacramento State up by seven.
Centerfielder Mason Nadeau was Penn State's first base runner of the game in the fifth inning with a single to centerfield. The Lions then threatened to get back into the game in the sixth, as Burger slapped an RBI-single through the left side with one out to load the bases, but a double play ended the frame. Weisenseel had led the inning off by drawing Penn State's first walk of the game. Third baseman Logan Goodnight (Wheeling, W.Va.) followed with a single and a fielder's choice eliminated Weisenseel from the base paths, but second baseman Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) singled to center to load the bases for Burger.
One error ultimately allowed four unearned runs to score for Sacramento State in the bottom of the sixth though for an 11-1 lead.
The Lions added a run in the seventh, as centerfielder Austin Riggins (Greer, S.C.) walked with one out, advanced to third on a double off the wall in left center by first baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.), and then scored on a fielder's choice by Weisenseel. Leavitt homered in the eighth after entering the game in left field in the bottom of the seventh.
Penn State and Sacramento State will conclude the series starting Saturday at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.