UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball program heads to Columbus, Ohio to take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State for a three-game series beginning on Friday night. The Nittany Lions are looking to bounce back after a tough weekend against Big Ten leader, Nebraska.
The first game of the series will be at 6:05 p.m. ET on Friday night.
Series Information
All-Time Series Record: OSU 70-37
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Probable Starters
Game 1
Penn State – RHP Bailey Dees (2-2)
Ohio State – RHP Garrett Burhenn (2-1)
Game 2
Penn State – Conor Larkin (2-4)
Ohio State – LHP Seth Lonsway (1-4)
Game 3
Penn State – Kyle Virbitsky (1-3)
Ohio State – RHP Jack Neely (1-2)
Last Time vs. Ohio State
The Nittany Lions last played the Buckeyes last met in 2019 in Columbus. The Nittany Lions won the final game of the series 10-6. The Nittany Lions were backed by Shea Sbranti who went 2-4 with two doubles, three runs and three RBI.
Ohio State won the first two games of the 2019 series 4-2 and 2-0.
Diamond Lions on the Bump
Bailey Dees remains the Friday night starter as he takes the mound with a 2-2 record. Dees was in line for the win in his last start against Nebraska as the Nittany Lions lead 2-1 after his six innings of one run ball.
Dees has struck out 33 in his 37.1 innings of work.
Conor Larkin is tied for the team lead with 42 strikeouts through his first seven starts. Larkin is 2-4 on the season and has tossed 35.2 innings.
Kyle Virbitsky will take the mound in the final game of the series. Virbitsky is tied with Larkin for the team lead with 42 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched and has a 1-3 record this season.
Penn State Hitters
Gavin Homer leads the Nittany Lions with a .346 average this season with a team leading .424 OBP. Homer also leads the team with six stolen bases. Homer's six stolen bases are sixth in the Big Ten and his .346 average is good for eighth in the conference.
Homer has reached base safely in his last 14 games.
Justin Williams is second on the team with a .295 average. He has reached base safely in his last 18 games and is currently on a five-game hitting streak.
Freshman catcher/DH Matt Wood leads the team in slugging percentage at a .542 clip. Of Wood's 21 hits this season, 11 are for extra bases.
Curtis Robison is currently fifth in the Big Ten with his eight doubles.
Penn State leads the conference as a team with 54 doubles.
Ohio State Notes
The Buckeyes pitching staff currently leads the conference in strikeouts with 265 and Seth Lonsway leads the league with 65 punch outs.
TJ Brock leads the conference with seven saves.
Ohio State's offense has struggled this season, hitting a league-low .229 as a team. Kade Kern leads the team with a .340 average.
Up Next
The Nittany return home to host Michigan State, April 30-May 2.