PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Justin Williams launched a solo home run to dead centerfield to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 win in the first game of the series against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Friday, April 2.
Starter Bailey Dees picked up the win, tossing six scoreless innings in the win.
How it Happened
- Tayven Kelley got the offense started with a single in the top of the first with one out but the Nittany Lions couldn't take advantage.
- Following a flyout to open the bottom of the first, Rutgers strung together a pair of singles to put runners on first and second. Starter Bailey Dees got a line out and a fly out to get out of the first-inning jam.
- Dees worked out of trouble again in the bottom of the second. A leadoff double put a runner in scoring position as Rutgers looked to plate the first run of the game. Dees got a strikeout following the double and then walked the third batter of the inning.
- Dees induced a tailor-made double play to end the threat in the bottom of the frame.
- The Nittany Lions offense were held in check by the Rutgers starter, Harry Rutkowski. Penn State went in order in the second, third and fourth inning.
- Matt Wood singled with one out to end the streak of 12 straight Nittany Lions set down by Rutkowski.
- Wood was erased as a double play ended the Penn State inning.
- Dees showed his grit again in the bottom of the fifth. A leadoff double put another runner in scoring position for the Scarlet Knights. A pair of great running catches by the Nittany Lion outfielders kept the Rutgers runner at second with two outs. An intentional walk put runners on second and third with two outs.
- A big strikeout by Dees ended the inning and stranded another pair of runners.
- In the top of the sixth, Gavin Homer was hit by a pitch and swiped second with two outs in the inning. This was the first base runner the Nittany Lions had in scoring position in the game at the time. A strikeout ended the Nittany Lions first scoring opportunity.
- Dees stranded two more runners in the bottom of the sixth, getting a flyout with two outs to leave runners on first and second.
- Justin Williams sent a blast over the centerfield wall on the first pitch of his at bat in the top of the seventh to give Penn State a 1-0 lead.
- Tyler Shingledecker relieved Dees and put up a scoreless bottom of the seventh.
- Shingledecker got a pair of outs and surrendered a single with two outs in the eighth. Ralph Gambino needed just two pitches to record the final out of the eighth.
- In the bottom of the ninth, the Scarlet Knights had their leadoff hitter reach on a single to center. Steven Miller got a strikeout to record the first out of the inning. A four-pitch walk put the game-winning run on first with one out in the inning. A weak ground ball led to a 1-6-3 double play to end the game and give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 win in the first game of the series.
The Nittany Lions and Scarlet Knights are back in action tomorrow for the second game of the series at 1 p.m. ET.