BRADENTON, Fla. – Penn State shook off a no-hitter from the night before in dramatic fashion, as sophomore Kris Kremer (Hershey, Pa.) hit the first three home runs of his career, tying the team record, to lead the Nittany Lions past No. 21 Duke, 8-7, Saturday afternoon at IMG Academy Baseball Park.
Kremer went 4-for-4, driving in six of Penn State's (7-1) eight runs on the afternoon to pace the Lions at the plate. He capped a three-run first inning with a two-run home run, and helped erase a three-run Duke (8-2) lead late with two more home runs, hitting a solo shot in the sixth and a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh that proved to be the difference.
On the mound, RHP Mason Mellott (2-0) earned the win with 4.2 innings of relief, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out five.
Penn State's hitting slump ended in the first inning with back-to-back-to-back hits. Center fielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) started it off with a two-out double down the left line, and first baseman Parker Hendershot (Barton, N.Y.) followed with a single to left to drive him. Kremer followed with his first home run of the day for the early lead.
Duke responded in the top of the third inning with back-to-back home runs from left fielder Kyle Gallagher and shortstop Ethan Murray to cut the deficit to one, but Kremer hit a two-out, RBI-single up the middle to drive home designated hitter Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.), who had led the inning off with a base hit.
Duke tied the game in the top of the fourth inning on a two-run double by third baseman Erikson Nichols, and then went ahead 7-4 in the top of the fifth on three-straight RBI doubles by right fielder Chase Creek, center fielder Kennie Taylor and designated hitter Michael Rothenberg.
Penn State rallied with two runs each in the sixth and seventh innings. Kremer homered on the first pitch of the sixth to make it 7-5, and heads-up base running by shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) allowed another run to score with the bases loaded and two outs. On the play, Sloniger hit a grounder to Murray at shortstop, but the second baseman did not cover the bag and Hughes outraced his counter part to the bag, allowing a run to score to pull Penn State within one.
Hendershot then led the seventh off with a base hit, and Kremer followed with an opposite field home run to give Penn State the lead.
Mellott, with the help of stellar infield play from second baseman Gavin Homer (Battle Creek, Mich.) navigated the eighth inning after giving up a lead-off double. Homer fielded a ground out for the first out, which advanced catcher Rudy Maxwell to third, and then Mellott earned a crucial strikeout. Gallagher hit a soft grounder to Homer on the following play, but Homer charged it and made an underhand toss to first to get the out by a half-step.
Mellott earned a pair of strikeouts in the ninth to secure the win.
Penn State and Duke will decide the three-game series starting Sunday at noon.
Penn State opens its home slate Mar. 15 and tickets are on sale online by clicking here or by calling the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park ticket office at 814-272-1711.
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NOTES: Penn State was clutch in the game, driving in five runs and batting 4-for-12 with two outs … Although Kremer entered the game without a home run in his career, he has a tendency for extra base hits—as a freshman, he had five doubles and one triple to go along with five singles, and now this season five of his seven hits have been for extra bases with three homers, a double, a triple and two singles … Kremer is the third Nittany Lion to ever hit three home runs in a game, joining Adam Beers (1998) and John Schreiner (1990) … Kremer's six RBIs were the most by a Nittany Lion in a game since Aaron Novak drove in eight runs at Charleston Southern on March 8, 2015 … Penn State snapped a four-game losing streak against nationally-ranked teams, earning its first top-25 win since defeating No. 22 Nebraska, 8-7, May 18, 2017 … Penn State earned its first win over a nationally-ranked opponent away from home since defeating No. 19 Purdue, 16-6, April 1, 2012 … At 7-1, Penn State is off to its best start since starting the 1980 season 8-0 … Penn State is 4-0 in one-run games this season after going 5-13 in one-run games last season.
