April 1, 2017
No. 22 | |
| 2 | 15 |
| Wilpon Complex | Ann Arbor, Mich. | 993 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Penn State hung with No. 22 Michigan until the Wolverines added 10 runs in the seventh and eighth innings for a 15-2 victory over the Nittany Lions in Big Ten baseball action Saturday in Ray Fisher Stadium.
First baseman Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) paced Penn State (10-15, 0-2 Big Ten) at the plate, going 2-for-4 with his fourth home run of the season. It was the second of back-to-back home runs for the Nittany Lions, as third baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) led the fourth off with his second home run of the season before Burger's blast.
Michigan (21-6, 3-2 Big Ten) answered with four home runs of its own. Third baseman Drew Lugbauer hit two as part of a 3-for-4 day at the plate that included a walk, four runs and four RBIs. He hit a two-run shot in the first, a solo shot in the fifth, reached on a walk and scored in the six-run seventh and doubled and scored in the eighth. Right fielder Jonathan Engelmann went 3-for-4, hitting a three-run home run in the seventh that capped the scoring in the frame. Pinch hitter Joe Pace hit a two-run home run in the eighth.
On the mound, RHP Ryan Nutof (2-1) went six innings for Michigan, allowing the two runs on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Penn State RHP Justin Hagenman (Voorhees, N.J.) (1-5) went 6 2/3 innings and allowed six runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts, settling in after the early innings.
Michigan jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first two innings. Second baseman Ako Thomas led the game off with a leadoff single and advanced to second on a groundout, allowing shortstop Michael Brdar to single him home. Lugbauer then followed with a homer to left for a three-run advantage. The Wolverines threatened to break the game open in the second, as they loaded the bases with one out. Engelmann singled, advanced on a wild pitch, stole third and scored then scored on another wild pitch before U-M filled the bases, but a double play ended the threat.
The third was scoreless as Hagenman found his rhythm, with the only runner reaching on an error. Helsel and Burger then led the fourth off with back-to-back home runs.
Hagenman ultimately retired seven straight after the error until Lugbauer was able to get to him again with a deep home run down the left line.
Centerfielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) tripled with two outs in the fifth and Burger and catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) both singled in the sixth, but none were able to score to close the gap, as the Lions trailed by three after Lugbauer's fifth-inning homer.
Hagenman was relieved with one on and two down in the seventh. Lugbauer drew a full count walk in a lengthy at-bat, and the Wolverines ultimately scored six runs before making another out. They added four more in the eighth for the final margin.
Penn State and Michigan will play the finale Sunday at 1 p.m.
Season, flex and single-game ticket options for the 2017 Penn State baseball season in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park are now on sale at GoPSUsports.com or by calling the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park ticket office at 814-272-1711. Ask about the hospitality suite option for season ticket holders.
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