May 8, 2018
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PITTSBURGH ââ'¬" Penn State's Punxsutawney duo of Ryan Sloniger and Braxton Giavedoni teamed up to give the Nittany Lions a 2-1 lead in the sixth, but a two-run home run by Pittsburgh's Liam Sabino in the seventh was the difference in a 3-2 win for the Panthers in non-conference baseball action Tuesday evening on Charles L. Cost Field.
Giavedoni had three of Penn State's (11-30) five hits in the game, including an RBI-triple in the sixth that gave the Nittany Lions their first lead. Sloniger led the sixth off with a home run over the right field wall to first tie the game. Sabino had two of Pitt's (27-19) six hits, hitting the eventual game-winning home run with one on in the seventh.
Pitt was first on the board in the third inning with a two-out RBI single in the third inning. Ron Washington, Jr. was able to drive home Frank Maldonado, who was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and later stole second to move into scoring position.
In the sixth, Sloniger homered to tie the game at 1-1, and then after a groundout, first baseman Shea Sbranti (Oakley, Calif.) walked and Sloniger's childhood friend, Giavedoni, followed with an RBI-triple to score him for the 2-1 advantage.
RHP Conor Larkin (Royersford, Pa.) (0-2) was one of eight Penn State pitchers to pitch in the game and suffered the loss after surrendering the home run in the seventh. RHP Eric Mock (Shillington, Pa.) started for the Nittany Lions and worked three innings, allowing one run on two hits and three walks with two strikeouts. RHP TJ Pagan (4-0) picked up the win for Pittsburgh in relief, working 1 2/3 innings and surrendering only a hit while striking out one, and RHP Yaya Chentouf (8) earned the save, striking out four and allowing just a hit.
Penn State opens its final homestand of the season Thursday, hosting Xavier for three games. First pitch Thursday and Friday is set for 6:30 p.m. and the series is set to conclude Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
Tickets for the 2018 Penn State baseball 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.
Check back to GoPSUSports.com for continued updates on Penn State Baseball. Follow on Twitter at @PennStateBASE and Facebook at Penn State Baseball.
Notes: Penn State played in its 17th one-run game of the season, its most since playing 19 one-run games in 2006 … Conlin Hughes walked twice, but saw his 12-game hitting streak come to an end.