UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State baseball's mental toughness paid off as the Nittany Lions secured a Big Ten win during game two of Saturday's doubleheader against Maryland.
The victory was indeed a team effort, with players like senior shortstop Conlin Hughes, sophomore Derek Orndorff and sophomore RHP Kyle Virbitsky performing in the clutch for the Diamond Lions.
Hughes Makes Huge Out
During the top of the ninth inning, with one out already, Hughes ran towards a foul ball and made a sliding catch to add the second out. His athleticism played an important part in the Nittany Lions victory.
"That play is one of the best plays I've ever seen," Cooper said. "The kid's grinding. He's playing hard. He's played almost every single game, every single inning. He's made a choice this year to really be a leader, and it's made all the difference in the world with our team."
Hughes was also effective at the plate, hitting an RBI single in the five-run third inning, allowing senior catcher Ryan Sloniger to score.
Orndorff Steps Up
During game one, left fielder Gavin Homer collided with the outfield wall. No one wants to see a teammate get hurt, but Orndorff knew he had to step up for his team when he took over in left.
He then started in game two, his first start of the season, and he did not disappoint. He hit a two-run double as the Nittany Lions led 9-6 at the end of the inning. Orndorff's hit was also his first of the season.
"He keeps showing up, he keeps working hard, and then when he got his opportunity today, he just played. And that shows you what kind of character Derek has. I'm happy for him. I really am," Cooper said. "I've coached guys that would pout and sulk; he hasn't done that. And when we needed him, he came up."
Orndorff was happy to be able to contribute to his team's success when his number was called.
"It feels really good to get in there and help your team win, to contribute that way. A lot of it is just staying ready, having the right mindset coming in every day and just being ready to go whenever it is," Orndorff said.
Virbitsky's Mind Set
On the mound in game two, Virbitsky's mental toughness got him through a few tough innings and earn the save. Despite a few rough patches during his time on the mound, he was determined to finish strong.
"I ran into some trouble down there at the end, but I mean, I wasn't losing that game," Virbitsky said.
Virbitsky's strong confidence is the key to his success, according to Cooper.
"Kyle has a very high opinion of his ability, and that's good. He believes he is really, really good. And he's not afraid when he has the baseball, he competes like crazy, and he's only going to get better and better," Cooper said.
"Usually the hardest thing is to have that kind of belief in yourself and he does."
His ability to believe in himself worked, as he kept Maryland scoreless in the final three innings, and earned himself the save.
The Nittany Lions have no midweek games, as it is finals week at Penn State. They will host Rutgers this weekend in a three-game Big Ten series beginning Friday at 6:30 p.m.
