CARY, N.C. – Penn State split a baseball doubleheader with NJIT Saturday afternoon at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, falling in the first game, 4-2, before taking the second game, 6-4.
Both games were scheduled for seven innings. Penn State is 2-1 heading into the weekend finale Sunday morning at 10 a.m. against Monmouth (2-1).
Game 2
Penn State scored in each of the first five innings. First baseman Cole Bartels and designated hitter Parker Hendershot reached in all four of their plate appearances to pace the Nittany Lions, tallying two hits and a walk each, while Bartels scored twice and Hendershot once. Second baseman Gavin Homer also went 2-for-3 with a double.
Hendershot drove in Bartels with a single in the first inning for the first run of the game. NJIT answered with two runs in the top of the second, but the Lions answered with two more in the bottom half to retake the lead for good. Hendershot led off the third with a single and later scored on a sacrifice fly, and then Bartels scored on a throwing error in the fourth and drove home Homer in the fifth for a 6-2 lead.
NJIT scored two runs in the top of the sixth, but RHP Jared Freilich retired the side in order in the seventh for his first career save. Freshman RHP Logan Evans earned the win in relief in his first career appearance, striking out six in 2.1 innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits.
Game 1
Right fielder Curtis Robison drove in Penn State's lone runs in the first game of the day, grounding into a fielder's choice in the second inning and following a Bartels double in the sixth with a double of his own.
However, it was not enough to overcome a four-run third inning by NJIT. First baseman Nick Hussey drove in the first run, and then three runs scored on a two-RBI single by designated hitter Jack Hay that was followed by an errant throw.
Up Next
Penn State concludes the weekend Sunday morning against Monmouth at 10 a.m.
The complete 2020 baseball schedule is available at GoPSUsports.com. Ticket, promotional and broadcast information will be announced at a future date. The 2020 Penn State baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
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