May 6, 2017
| 5 | 6 |
| Medlar Field at Lubrano Park | University Park, Pa. | 586 | |
| POST GAME LINKS |
| Box Score (HTML) | Box Score (PDF) |
| Video: Cooper Postgame |
| FINAL STATISTICS |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Penn State nearly erased a four-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Minnesota hung on for a 6-5 win in Big Ten baseball action Friday evening on Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Minnesota (27-15, 10-6 Big Ten) broke open a 2-2 game in the top of the ninth inning with a four-run frame for a commanding 6-2 lead. However, RHP Brian Glowicki (2-1), the NCAA saves leader with 15, was unable to get an out in the ninth after getting the final two outs of the eighth, ultimately allowing Penn State (14-30, 2-14 Big Ten) to score a run and load the bases with no outs. RHP Fred Manke (1) relieved Glowicki and traded two outs for two runs to make it a one score game with a runner on second, but Manke was able to get a strikeout to end the game.
Shortstop Logan Goodnight (Wheeling, W.Va.) started the Nittany Lion comeback attempt by reaching on an errant throw following a dirt ball on a strikeout. Catcher Alex Malinsky (Apex, N.C.) centerfielder Mason Nadeau (Lansdale, Pa.) followed with back-to-back base hits to load the bases, and second baseman Christian Helsel (Altoona, Pa.) drove a single through the left side to score Goodnight to make it a 6-3 game.
Right fielder Braxton Giavedoni (Punxsutawney, Pa.) hit into a fielder's choice to drive in Malinsky and leave runners on the corners, and left fielder Nick Riotto (Washington, Pa.) grounded out to score Nadeau and move Giavedoni to second, but Manke struck out the next batter to secure the Gopher victory.
Defensive miscues proved costly for Penn State. Left fielder Jordan Kozicky gave Minnesota a 4-2 lead on a one-out, two-RBI single to centerfield, but the Nittany Lions missed an opportunity to close out the inning when a two-out pop fly to shallow center was misplayed, giving first baseman Toby Hanson a bloop two-RBI double and the Gophers valuable insurance runs.
Penn State was the first to score, taking advantage of an errant throw on a strikeout in the dirt, but a sensational running catch by centerfielder Jordan Smith robbed Malinsky of an extra base hit that could have allowed two more runs to score.
RHP Sal Biasi kept Minnesota scoreless until the fourth inning when an error allowed an unearned run to score and ran up his pitch count. Biasi left after the fifth inning, allowing the unearned run on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
Minnesota starter LHP Lucas Gilbreath was strong as well, only allowing the unearned run on four hits and a walk over seven innings, while striking out 10.
Penn State reliever RHP Dakota Forsyth (3-2) retired the first seven batters he faced and struck out four in 3 1/3 innings of work, but was tagged with the loss. He surrendered a run in the eighth on an RBI-single by Smith, and the Nittany Lions responded by tying the game at 2-2 on a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.), he was charged with three of the four runs in the ninth.
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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