UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State left fielder Mason Nadeau (Lansdale, Pa.) drove in a career-high four RBIs, highlighted by a three-run home run, to lead a comeback win over Mount St. Mary's, 8-6, in non-conference baseball action Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The bats came to life in the fifth inning with both teams hitting a pair of home runs each to break open a 1-1 game. Mount St. Mary's (15-35) right fielder Pat Daly hit a two-run home run and center fielder Jared Urban hit a three-run home run to give The Mount a 6-1 lead, but Penn State (22-24) designated hitter Shea Sbranti (Oakley, Calif.) led off the bottom half with a homer over the right field bleachers and Nadeau hit a three-run homer into the same bleachers to bring Penn State back within one.
Penn State went ahead the very next inning on a two-RBI single by Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.), and that was followed by an RBI-single by first baseman Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) that scored Bowersox for the 8-6 margin.
Rallying from the five-run deficit marked the largest comeback win of the season for Penn State.
RHP Jared Freilich (Worcester, Mass.) (2-1) earned the win with a career-high three innings of relief, allowing just one hit and striking out two, and RHP Kyle Virbitsky (4) earned the save with a perfect, 11-pitch ninth inning that included one strikeout. RHP Cole Reeder (2-2), one of five Mount St. Mary's pitchers, was tagged with the loss.
Mount St. Mary's was first to score, taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Catcher Zach Costello singled to lead the frame off, stole second, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch. Penn State tied the game in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI-single by Nadeau. He drove in catcher Jacob Padilla (Wylie, Texas), who had singled and advanced to second on a balk.
Penn State will conclude its season with a three-game series against Arizona at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The series opens Thursday (6:30 p.m.) and continues Friday (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.)
The 2019 Penn State baseball season is presented by the Family Clothesline. 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 has struck out nine or more batters in 37 out of 46 games this season … Penn State improved to 18-6 in non-conference play, marking its most wins since winning 20 non-conference games in 2011.
