March 25, 2018
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| FINAL STATISTICS |
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – With contributions throughout the entire lineup and LHP Dante Biasi (Hazle Township, Pa.) earning his first career win, Penn State defeated Rutgers, 9-3, in Big Ten baseball action Sunday afternoon at Bainton Field.
Penn State (7-11, 1-2 Big Ten) matched its season high of 13 hits, with catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) and third baseman Connor Klemann (Royersford, Pa.) accounting for seven of them with career-best four- and three-hit days, respectively. Klemann homered and hit a sacrifice fly to total two RBIs on the day, while Sloniger doubled, drove in two and scored a run.
Seven of nine Nittany Lion starters tallied at least one hit, while the two that did not, right fielder Curtis Robison (Dillsburg, Pa.) and designated hitter Mason Nadeau (Lansdale, Pa.), contributed offensively in other ways, as Robison walked twice, drove in a run and scored once, while Nadeau walked once, scored twice and tallied a career-high three stolen bases. Additionally, the Lions drew six walks and three were hit by pitches.
Biasi (1-2) was stellar on the mound, scattering eight hits without yielding a walk and striking out six. The lone run allowed came on a solo home run by Rutgers (13-8, 2-1 Big Ten) catcher Nick Matera in the fourth inning. RHP Jake Pilewicz (Sewickley, Pa.) then allowed just two hits and an unearned run in two innings of relief, and RHP Mason Mellott (State College, Pa.) allowed a run on two hits in the final inning. Neither reliever issued a walk either, marking the first time since May 13, 2017 at Indiana that the Nittany Lions did not issue a walk.
The Nittany Lions were strong at the plate out of the gate, loading the bases in the first and getting two on in the second before breaking through for two runs in the third. Klemann led the frame off with a solo home run to right center and Penn State stayed aggressive later with two outs, as Robison stole second, advanced to third on a balk and then scored on a bobbled ball in the hole at shortstop off the bat of shortstop Joe Weisenseel (Strongsville, Ohio).
Penn State sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth inning, scoring four runs with just two hits for a 6-0 lead. Second baseman Conlin Hughes singled, center fielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) was hit by a pitch and Sloniger singled to load the bases and chase Rutgers starter LHP Eric Heatter (1-1) from the game. The switch on the mound did not help, as Klemann hit a sacrifice fly for the first run of the inning, advancing both remaining base runners too. After a groundout, left fielder Braxton Giavedoni (Punxsutawney, Pa.) and Robison drew back-to-back walks to bring another run, then Weisenseel was plunked to bring in another and a wild pitch brought in the fourth.
The Scarlet Knights used six relievers pitching an inning each to finish the game.
Rutgers got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the fourth, as Matera led the frame off with a home run to left field.
Penn State added a run in the seventh for a 7-1 lead on a ground-rule double by Sloniger. Nadeau had walked to lead-off the frame, stolen second, and then tagged to third on a fly out, placing him in scoring position when Sloniger batted with two outs. Rutgers was able to get the run back in the bottom half though, taking advantage of an error to pull back within five at 7-2.
Bowersox and Sloniger drove in runs in the top of the ninth, and Rutgers added a run on an error in the bottom of the ninth for the win.
Penn State next returns home for a seven-game homestand opening Tuesday against Binghamton and Wednesday against Cornell with 6:30 p.m. first pitches both evenings. At every Tuesday game fans can purchase two tickets for the price of one. Any fan who purchases a full price ticket is eligible to claim an additional ticket at no charge. At every Wednesday game, fans can enjoy wings at the ballpark at the following prices: Three wings for $3, six wings for $5.50 and 12 wings for $10.
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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