UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Senior first baseman Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) drove in four runs for Penn State, but Arizona powered past the Nittany Lions, 15-5, in non-conference baseball action Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
Sloniger drove in two Penn State (22-26) runs in the eighth inning with his first triple of the season and two more in the ninth with a bases-loaded base hit as part of a three-run frame. Nittany Lion seniors totaled six of Penn State's seven hits in the game, and redshirt junior Connor Klemann (Royersford, Pa.) added a double. Senior shortstop Conlin Hughes (Holly Springs, N.C.) went 2-for-2 with two walks, designated hitter Shea Sbranti (Oakley, Calif.) doubled and center fielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) singled and scored.
Arizona (28-24) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by a grand slam by second baseman Justin Wylie with two outs in an 0-2 count. The Wildcats totaled six hits in the frame, including a triple by shortstop Cameron Cannon and a double by third baseman Nick Quintana.
The Nittany Lions threatened in the bottom of the third, loading the bases, but LHP Andrew Nardi (4-5) escaped the jam by inducing a fly out. Nardi worked seven shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing just five hits and two walks.
Arizona extended its lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run by right fielder Ryan Holgate and a three-run shot by catcher Austin Wells. Wells finished a team-best 4-for-5, a triple shy of the cycle, with five RBIs.
The Wildcats also added a run in the sixth, two in the seventh and two in the ninth.
Penn State will conclude its season Saturday starting at 2 p.m. The Nittany Lions will host their second Bark in the Park of the season, as fans are welcome to bring a dog with proof of proper vaccinations, and will honor the program's seniors following the game for Senior Day.
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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