April 12, 2017
| 5 | 3 |
| Medlar Field at Lubrano Park | University Park, Pa. | 696 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| Video: Coach Cooper Postgame |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" A three-RBI triple by Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) powered Penn State past Bucknell, 5-3, in non-conference baseball action Wednesday evening on Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Hughes went 2-for-4 with the triple and three RBIs to lead the Penn State (12-20) offense. Second baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) reached base four times, singling twice, walking once and getting hit with a pitch once, while centerfielder Austin Riggins (Greer, S.C.) also added an RBI.
It was a night of firsts for the Nittany Lions on the mound. RHP Jake Pilewicz (Sewickley, Pa.) (1-1) earned his first career win in his first career start, as he pitched five innings, allowing two hits on seven hits and three walks. LHP Taylor Lehman (1) then earned his first career save, pitching the final 3 1/3 innings and allowing just one run on two hits and a walk with a game-high five strikeouts.
Bucknell (13-18) was led by second baseman Luke Johnson, who drove in all three runs on two doubles. The Bison were able to get runners on base throughout the game, but stranded 12. RHP Tommy Gambon (1-1) suffered the loss after Bucknell received a strong start from RHP Jack Simpson, who went 3 1/3 innings and allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out two.
Bucknell was first to score in the top of the fifth, as Johnson hit a two-out, two-run double, but Penn State answered with four runs in the bottom half. The Nittany Lions loaded the bases with a pair of walks and a hit batsman, and then Hughes tripled to right just over the fielder's glove to score all three. Helsel then hit a grounder off the pitcher that scored Hughes.
The Bison looked to bounce back in the sixth, but left the bases loaded, and Penn State extended its lead in the bottom half on an RBI-single through the left side by Riggins.
Johnson hit an RBI-double in the seventh but it would be the final run Lehman yielded.
Both teams left the bases loaded in the first inning, and Bucknell loaded the bases with no outs in the third but lined into a double play and grounded into a fielder's choice without driving anyone home.
Penn State will next return to the road and Big Ten play at Maryland. The series opens at 6:30 p.m. Friday and continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and 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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