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| Medlar Field at Lubrano Park | University Park, Pa. | 1363 | |
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State infielders Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) and Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) both had three-hit games, but Pitt used strong pitching and Nittany Lion miscues to earn a 9-1 victory in non-conference baseball action Tuesday evening on Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Helsel and Sloniger both went 3-for-4 with Helsel adding a double and walk. It was Helsel's second three-hit game of the season and Sloniger's first of the year and second of his career.
Their performances helped Penn State (12-24) out-hit Pitt (16-17), 10-8, but the Nittany Lions only went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and committed five miscues in the field resulting in six unearned runs.
Four Pitt pitchers combined to hold the Lions to a run, with Chris Gomez (3-1) picking up the win working 4 2/3 innings and allowing five hits and two walks while striking out five.
Centerfielder Frank Maldonado led the Panthers at the plate going 3-for-4 with a run scored, while third baseman Nick Banman had two of five RBIs.
Pitt jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as left fielder Jacob Wright took advantage of the sunset for a lead-off triple to centerfield and was immediately driven home with a single bounced through the right side by first baseman Caleb Parry. Wright then drove in an unearned run in the second with an infield single deep in the hole at short.
The third was scoreless, but the Panthers added a pair of runs in the fourth on wild pitches. A dropped sacrifice fly in the fifth allowed an extra run to score for a 6-0 game, and then in the sixth, three unearned runs scored after an infield miscue with two outs 9-0 advantage.
Mason Nadeau (Lansdale, Pa.), who entered the game as a pinch-hitter, drove in the lone Lion run in the ninth with an RBI-single.
RHP Schuyler Bates (Ossining, N.Y.) (1-3) suffered the loss, pitching the first 3 1/3 innings and allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and a walk with two strikeouts.
Traditionally one of the biggest weekends of the season, Penn State will next host Northwestern for Blue-White Weekend, Friday-Sunday. Friday (6:30 p.m.) will start with a blast as it will include a Postgame Fireworks Show. Saturday (6 p.m.), the Lions will look to White Out the Wildcats, giving away white shakers while supplies last and encouraging fans to wear white. Fans will also receive a limited edition, numbered Penn State Football print that features some of the greatest moments from the thrilling 2016 season, then one number will be chosen during the game to select a lucky fan who will win a football autographed by the entire Blue-White football roster. Sunday (1 p.m.) will be Salute to Service Day, as all Veterans and First Responders can claim up to four free tickets by contacting Steve Christ at 814-272-0208 (additional tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate of $2). The Nittany Lions will wear special "Salute to Service" batting practice tops, and up to 35 selected veterans or first responders will be able to receive one of those shirts right off the back of one of the players. Fans will be able to see first responder vehicles up close in the Porter North Parking Lot in the Touch-A-Truck exhibit.
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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