UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Josh Spiegel's walk off single to deep left center to score Johnny Piacentino to give the Nittany Lions a 6-5 win in Sunday's contest against Maryland. After surrendering the lead in the top of the ninth, Spiegel's shot gave the Nittany Lions the win.
The Nittany Lions and Terrapins play the series finale on Monday at 4 p.m. ET
How it Happened
Maryland got out to a quick start, scoring just three batters into the game and took a 1-0 advantage after the top half of the first. A leaping catch by shortstop Jay Harry limited the damage in the frame and kept the run scoring to one.
The Nittany Lions put a pair of runners on in the bottom of the first but were unable to tie the game.
A two-run home run to right center in the top of the fourth pushed the Terrapins lead to 3-0.
Penn State got two runs back in the bottom of the frame. Spiegel and Gavin Homer both singled with one out. After a strikeout, Tayven Kelley doubled down the right field line to score Spiegel and Homer to cut the lead to 3-2.
One inning later, Justin Williams launched a towering home run to left center to tie the game at 3-3.
Starter Conor Larkin battled in his start, tying a career-best performance by going 6.2 IP and punching out eight Terrapins.
The Nittany Lions took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the seventh. Jay Harry walked with two outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Harry scored on a Spiegel single to give Penn State a 4-3 lead.
In the bottom of the eighth, Kris Kremer walked and stole second to lead off the inning. A sac bunt by Kelley advanced Kremer to third. A great read on a wild pitch allowed Kremer to score and give the Nittany Lions and insurance run headed to the top of the ninth.
After a lead off single, Tyler Shingledecker got a pair of strikeouts. A triple followed by double tied the game at 5-5. Shingledecker got a strikeout to end the inning and bring the Nittany Lions to the plate with a chance to win the game.
Piacentino singled to open the inning followed by a Williams walk. After falling behind 0-2, Harry fouled off several pitches and was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Spiegel.
On the first pitch of the at bat Spiegel launched a 400-foot single to left center to drive in Piacentino to give the Nittany Lions their third win of the season.
Stat Leaders
Josh Spiegel – 3-5, 2 RBI, R,
Gavin Homer – 2-4, R
Tayven Kelley – 2-3, 2 RBI