March 31, 2018
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" Penn State was unable to hold on to an early lead, as Purdue claimed Game 1 in a Big Ten baseball doubleheader, 6-3, Saturday afternoon in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Game 2 is in progress as of publishing time.
LHP Gareth Stroh (4-0) limited Penn State (7-14, 1-4 Big Ten) to three runs on six hits and four first-inning walks, while striking out three. For the Nittany Lions, LHP Taylor Lehman (2-3) allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits and four walks with six strikeouts.
Left fielder Braxton Giavedoni (Punxsutawney, Pa.) led the Lions at the plate with a solo home run. Purdue (13-10, 2-0 Big Ten) was paced offensively by first baseman Jacson McGowan, who hit a two-run home run, and second baseman Tyler Powers, who accounted for three runs in the second by driving in two on a base hit and then scoring later in the frame.
Penn State jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, but Purdue answered with three runs the very next frame and did not look back.
The Nittany Lions looked poised to knock Stroh out of the game in the first, as Klemann singled and Sloniger walked to leadoff, and both moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Stroh stuck out the next batter, but then walked the next three batters to give Penn State a 2-0 lead before strikeout then ended the inning.
The lead did not last long as Purdue added three runs with two outs in the top of the second. Designated hitter Charlie Nasuti walked and third baseman Evan Warden singled to lead off the inning, and then Lehman retired the next two batters, but the pair moved into scoring position with a double steal and scored on a single up the middle by Powers. The throw in missed the cutoff man and went to the backstop, allowing Powers to advance to third, and he scored on a passed ball to make it 3-2.
The Boilermakers extended their lead in the third on a two-run home run by McGowan over the center field wall, but Giavedoni got one run back with a solo home run to left in the bottom half. Purdue got the run back though on a double-steal play in the fourth for a 6-3 lead, and the rest of the game was scoreless.
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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