CARY, N.C. – The Penn State offense totaled 19 hits, including three home runs, en route to a 18-1 series-opening win over Princeton Friday at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
RHP Bailey Dees (1-1) (Charlotte, N.C.) struck out nine and allowed just an unearned run on three hits and a walk, but received plenty of run support. Third baseman Justin Williams (Mechanicsburg, Pa.) and first baseman Parker Hendershot (Barton, N.Y.) both tallied three hits with a solo home run each, while second baseman Gavin Homer (Battle Creek, Mich.) hit a three-run home run as part of a two-hit, four RBI performance. Additionally, shortstop Mac Hippenhammer (Fort Wayne, Ind.) had three hits and three RBIs.
Penn State jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning, taking advantage of a pair of lead-off walks and batting around. Homer drove in one with a single and forced another run home when he stole second and the throw sailed into centerfield. Second baseman Ben Kailher (Rumford, R.I.) followed with an RBI-double to center and catcher Matthew Wood (Gibsonia, Pa.) singled up the middle to score him.
Princeton tallied an unearned run in the top of the third, but Penn State scored 13 runs over the next three innings. In a seven-run fourth inning, right fielder Curtis Robison (Dillsburg, Pa.) drove in two runs and Hippenhammer one with a base hit, and they both scored on a three-run home run by Homer. Another run scored on a passed ball.
Hendershot led off the fifth inning with a home run and center fielder Johnny Piacentino (Cherry Hill, N.J.) added an RBI-single to give the Nittany Lions a 13-1 lead. The Lions added another lead-off home run in the next inning as Williams blasted the first pitch he saw well over the left field fence. Hippenhammer drove in two more with a base hit and Kailher had an RBI-triple to center for a 17-1 lead.
Designated hitter Joe Gunn (New Castle, Pa.) tallied his first hit as a Nittany Lion in the eighth inning, driving in a run with a double to right for the final margin.
Penn State and Princeton will continue the four-game series Saturday at noon with a pair of seven-inning games and conclude it Sunday starting at 11 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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NOTES: Penn State's 19 hits were its most since totaling the same at Houston Baptist on March 9, 2013 … Penn State's 18 runs scored are its most since scoring 20 at Lafayette, Apr. 6, 2016 … Bailey Dees lowered his season ERA to 1.01 and now has 20 strikeouts in 17.2 innings pitched this season … Penn State's team ERA is now 1.46 this season … Gavin Homer leads the team with 11 RBIs this season … Penn State snapped a seven-game losing streak against Princeton that dated back to 1928.