April 22, 2017
| 4 | 7 |
| Medlar Field at Lubrano Park | University Park, Pa. | 2074 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| Video: Coach Cooper Postgame | Helsel Web Gem |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" An eighth-inning rally came up short for Penn State as Northwestern defeated the Nittany Lions, 7-4, in Big Ten baseball action Saturday evening on Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The game was played in front of a crowd of 2,074, marking the eighth-largest for Penn State baseball in stadium history.
Trailing 6-1 entering the eighth, Penn State (12-26, 1-10 Big Ten) scored three runs with two outs, but Northwestern (16-22, 5-6 Big Ten) maintained its lead and added an insurance run in the ninth.
The Wildcats took advantage of five Nittany Lion errors as all seven runs they scored were unearned. It spoiled a 3-for-5 performance at the plate by Penn State freshman centerfielder Mason Nadeau (Lansdale, Pa.) and a seven-inning start for LHP Justin Hagenman (1-7) (Voorhees, N.J.) All six runs charged to Hagenman were unearned, and he surrendered just five hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) went 2-for-4 with an RBI-double.
Northwestern also received a strong starting pitching effort as RHP Hank Christie (3-4) allowed only a first-inning, unearned run and scattered five hits and a walk over 6 2/3 innings. Left fielder Joe Hoscheit was one of six Wildcats to record one hit and he drove in two.
Penn State was first to score in the first inning, as Nadeau led the bottom half of the inning off with a single and scored from first on an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt attempt by second baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.)
Hagenman retired the first seven batters but third baseman Charlie Maxwell doubled, and after the second out, an error prolonged the inning. Northwestern took advantage, scoring four runs. Two of the runs scored on wild pitches and Hoscheit and right fielder Matt Hopfner both had RBI hits, with Hopfner doubling.
Designated hitter Jack Claeys hit an RBI-single in the fifth and Hoscheit hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh to drive in two more unearned runs for the five-run advantage.
With left fielder Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) on with a walk and two outs in the eighth, the Lions looked to rally. First baseman Willie Burger (Lancaster, Pa.) doubled down the right line to give Penn State two in scoring position, and Hughes delivered with a single through the right side to score both. Hughes then scored from first when Sloniger followed with a double just inside first base.
The three runs were the only earned runs of the game
The teams will conclude the series Sunday starting at 1 p.m.
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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