ANNAPOLIS, Md. – RHP Conor Larkin struck out 10 and seven Nittany Lion extra-base hits led Penn State past Fairleigh Dickinson, 8-4, in a neutral site baseball contest Sunday afternoon in Navy's Max Bishop Stadium.
Larkin's strikeout total matched his career high set at Ohio State last season, as he was dominant over 6.2 innings for Penn State (10-4), just allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk. RHP Jared Freilich (2-0) earned the win in relief, pitching the final 2.1 innings and striking out three.
"I thought Conor really attacked the strike zone and gave us a great effort," said Penn State head coach Rob Cooper. "I felt yesterday we didn't get ahead and put guys away, but that's what he did today. He almost finished seven full innings, gave a great effort and was on top of his game today."
Seven of the Nittany Lions' hits went for extra bases, highlighted by right fielder Curtis Robison hitting a double and triple, and then designated hitter Joe Gunn, pinch-hitter Justin Williams and Gavin Homer each doubled in the bottom of the eighth inning to key a five-run frame that tipped the game in Penn State's favor.
"Today we weren't trying to do too much and got back to our approach and our plan that we've been pretty good at, staying on balls and staying through balls," said Cooper. "The biggest thing is not trying to do too much, and be able to let your swing play."
Penn State jumped on the board in the first inning on an RBI-double by Robison. Fairleigh Dickinson (3-8) tied the game in the top of the second on an error, but the Nittany Lions went back ahead in the bottom of the third as Robison tripled and then scored from third base on a throwing error. Penn State extended its lead to 3-1 in the fourth inning, as third baseman Ben Kailher led the frame off with a triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Johnny Piacentino.
Fairleigh Dickinson pulled back within one in the seventh inning on an error and tallied another unearned run to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the eighth inning. However, back-to-back doubles put Penn State back in front as Gunn doubled to right field with one out and Williams followed off the bench with a double to the right-center gap. A pair of errors allowed the Nittany Lions to add four more insurance runs, highlighted by a two-run double by Homer.
FDU center fielder Rossario Maertz homered in the top of the ninth for the final margin.
Next Up
Penn State will next travel west to Miami (Ohio) for a three-game series beginning Thursday at 6 p.m.
The 2020 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: It was the first meeting between Penn State and Fairleigh Dickinson…Penn State's two triples in the game were its most since tripling twice against Maryland on April 27, 2019…Penn State's five doubles were its most since tallying six doubles at Ohio State on May 11, 2019 – the same game Conor Larkin struck out 10 batters…Penn State improved to 10-2 in neutral site games this year…Gavin Homer extended his hitting streak to seven games and had his team-best seventh multi-hit game of the season.
