UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball program (3-8, 3-8) fell in the series finale to the Maryland Terrapins (5-6, 5-6) 7-1 in Monday's rubber game. Starter Kyle Virbitsky struck out a career-best seven batters in Monday's contest.
How it Happened.
- Kyle Virbitsky got the start for the Nittany Lions and got a pair of punch outs in the top of the first and worked out of a jam to start Monday's rubber match.
- Cole Bartels led off the bottom of the first with an infield single and advanced to second on a wild pitch with one out in the frame. Bartels advanced to third on a ground out and was stranded on third as the Maryland starter got a strikeout to end the inning.
- The Terrapins got on the scoreboard first in the top of the third. A one-out single and a hit by pitch put runners on first and second with one out. Virbitsky got a ground ball that the Nittany Lions attempted to turn a double play on, but the throw to first was late and it allowed the hitter to beat the throw.
- A single through the left side scored the go ahead run and gave the Terrapins a 2-1 lead.
- In the bottom of the fourth, Penn State loaded the bases with no outs. A double play allowed for the tying run to score for the Nittany Lions.
- A strikeout started the top of the fifth, but the Maryland batter reached on passed ball. The next two Maryland batter reached on a walk and a hit by pitch. An infield single scored a run to give Maryland a 2-1 lead a sac fly scored another run to give the Maryland a 3-1 lead.
- Another single loaded the bases and would end Virbitsky's day. Virbitsky finished his outing with a career-high seven strikeouts in the start.
- Coming out of the bullpen, Jared Freilich inherited a bases loaded jam with one out in the fifth. Freilich came inside with a fastball and got a weak ground ball to Justin Williams. Williams cut down the runner at the plate to keep the Nittany Lions within two. Freilich got a punch out to end the inning and didn't allow any further damage in the inning.
- Maryland added to its lead on a leadoff home run in the top of the sixth and scored three more in the top of the seventh.
- The Nittany Lion offense could bring the lead no closer and Penn State fell in the rubber match 7-1.
Next Up
Penn State hosts nationally ranked Michigan for a three-game series beginning on Friday, March 26.