March 23, 2018
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. ââ'¬" Penn State catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) tallied three hits, but a four-run sixth inning lead Rutgers past Penn State, 4-1, in the Big Ten baseball opener for both teams Friday afternoon at Bainton Field.
Sloniger's three hits were a season high and tied his career high, but Penn State (6-10, 0-1 Big Ten) managed just five for the game as RHP John O'Reilly (2-1) went the distance for Rutgers (12-7, 0-1 Big Ten). O'Reilly struck out six and allowed just two walks and an unearned run in addition to the five hits.
The Nittany Lions' lone run came in the first inning. Penn State led the game off with three productive plate appearances to scratch across a run. Center fielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) reached on a throwing error, advanced to third on a Sloniger double and then scored from third on a sacrifice fly to shallow left by third baseman Connor Klemann (Royersford, Pa.)
Penn State threatened in the second inning with two reaching and again in the fifth by loading the bases, but O'Reilly was able to get inning-ending strikeouts both times.
RHP Justin Hagenman (2-2) (Voorhees, N.J.) held Rutgers hitless through the first three innings before yielding two base hits in the fourth. He was perfect in the fifth, but the Scarlet Knights got to him in the sixth, scoring four runs on four hits and a walk. With two in scoring position following a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Chris Folinusz singled to tie the game at 1-1, and then designated hitter Kyle Walker drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to center. A single through the left side by third baseman Carmen Sclafani then loaded the bases, and shortstop Kevin Welsh followed by driving in two with a single to center.
Hagenman exited after the sixth, allowing the four runs on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Penn State and Rutgers will continue the series Saturday and Sunday with both games starting at 1 p.m.
Season, flex and single-game tickets for the 2018 season, presented by Family Clothesline, are available online at GoPSUsports.com or by calling the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park ticket office at 814-272-1711.
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