UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team (8-14, 8-14) fell 8-2 in the first game of the series against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska came into the game leading the Big Ten with a 15-6 record.
The Nittany Lions and Huskers will be back in action tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.
How it Happened
- Bailey Dees worked around trouble in the first. After a leadoff hit batsman, Dees got the next three hitters to keep the score 0-0.
- In the bottom of the frame, Tayven Kelley doubled to right center with one out but the Nittany Lions were unable to take the lead.
- Nebraska tallied three hits in the top of the second and scored the first run of the game in the inning. With two on and two outs, a soft fly ball fell to plate the runner from third and gave the Huskers a 1-0 lead.
- After a zero in the top of the third, Tayven Kelley singled to right with two outs in the inning. A long drive to right center by Johnny Piacentino was run down in the cap for the final out of the inning.
- After surrendering the run in the top of the second, Dees did not allow a run for the remainder of his start as he pitched through the sixth inning. Dees final line of six innings, six hits and four strikeouts kept the Nittany Lions in striking distance.
- In the bottom of the sixth, Piacentino singled with two outs to keep the inning alive. Piacentino advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Justin Williams followed with a single to left to score Piacentino and tie the game at 1-1. Another wild pitch moved Williams to second.
- Matt Wood laced a double to right field to score Williams and give Penn State a 2-1 lead headed to the top of the seventh.
- Nebraska loaded the bases and scored a run in the top of the seventh. Mason Mellott entered the game and proceeded strike out the next three Huskers to keep the game tied at 2-2.
- The Nittany Lions put a pair of runners on in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to retake the lead.
- Nebraska plated five runs on four hits in the eighth to take a 7-2 lead over the Nittany Lions. The Huskers would plate another run in the ninth to push the lead to 8-2 and take game one of the series.
Notes
The Nittany Lion offense has 10 or more hits in five of their last seven games.
Over their last eight starts, Gavin Homer and Matt Wood are each hitting over .400. Homer is batting .419 and Wood is at an even .400. Of Wood's 12 hits, nine are for extra bases.
Bailey Dees matched the second-longest outing of the season with his six innings of work.