UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.-Even though it was a tough weekend for Penn State baseball, there were still some silver linings during Sunday's doubleheader.
Despite losing both games on Sunday, the program did not go down without putting up a fight, especially in the second game on Sunday. Trailing 8-3 in the ninth, Penn State scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Nittany Lions ultimately lost that game 8-6, but put themselves in a position where they could have tied the game.
"I'm proud of our kids for fighting," Cooper said. "That shows character and toughness."
Sophomore outfielder Mac Hippenhammer and senior catcher Ryan Sloniger were powerful offensively on Sunday, contributing to their team's efforts to fight until the end.
Hippenhammer went 3-for-7 on the day, with a two-run double in the second game. Hippenhammer has proved himself as a powerful tool for his team, as his batting average is currently .346.
Not only does Hippenhammer shine on the diamond, but he also plays football for Penn State. The dual sport athlete decided not to play spring football this year and solely focus on baseball.
"I feel like I'm getting back into my groove and it feels good," Hippenhammer said.
The fact that Hippenhammer is doing so well speaks volumes about the talent he possesses, according to head coach Rob Cooper.
"Mac loves baseball and he loves to compete," Cooper said. "It's pretty impressive what he's doing. I think he's just going to get better and better."
Playing two sports is no easy task, and Hippenhammer appreciates how his teammates have helped him manage to play baseball and football.
"It feels good to be with this group full time. These guys accept me and they teach me whatever I'm behind with," Hippenhammer said.
Ryan Sloniger was also on a roll in the second game of the doubleheader. He went 3-for-4 in game two, including a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.
For Sloniger, the key to his success has been working on his timing in the batter's box.
"I was on time. Earlier in the year, I was a little late with my leg kick and everything getting down. I've been getting on time here the last couple of weekends, and today it felt really good. It was nice to see some results and keep going," Sloniger said.
Sloniger has been working on getting back in his groove and proved he's back.
"He's been working hard," Cooper said. "He's a good player. This is a guy who really wants to do well in his senior year."
Cooper hopes the impressive at-bats Sloniger had on Sunday will allow him to relax and continue being a powerful hitter as the season goes on.
It will be a quick turn-around for the Nittany Lions, as they host Binghamton in a weekday game on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
And while it was a tough weekend for the Nittany Lions, they aren't giving up.
"I love this group, and I think we're going to be ready to go [on Tuesday]. We always battle," Sloniger said.
"We've done a good job of staying in the game no matter what the score is and just continuing to battle," Hippenhammer said.
Cooper believes in this team and knows that his players are capable of learning and moving on from this weekend.
"The same team that walked off UMass Lowell and was feeling great about themselves is the same team I want to see when we play Binghamton," Cooper said. "You can't let one three-game series weigh you down."
