UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team defeated Milwaukee, 6-4, on Friday evening in the home opener at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. After falling behind early, the Nittany Lion bullpen slammed the door on the Panthers, allowing the Nittany Lions to take the lead in the seventh and secure a victory.
Penn State moves to 6-9 on the season. Milwaukee moves to 5-7 with the loss.
In his fifth start of the season, righthander Travis Luensmann went 4.2 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits while racking up six strikeouts. The junior pounded the zone and cruised through the first three innings before running into trouble later in the outing.
Tyler Shingledecker and Jaden Henline combined on 4.1 big shutout innings to lock down the victory. Shingledecker went 2.1 innings and struck out the side in the seventh. Henline threw the last two innings, giving up just one hit, and striking out three.
Riley Frey started for Milwaukee, going 5.1 innings. He allowed two runs on five hits while striking out two and walking four. Ryan Hoerter entered the game and threw 2.1 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits. He walked one and struck out one. James Severson got the Panthers' final out.
The Nittany Lions put up six runs on 11 hits, once again led by Matt Wood. The junior catcher went three-for-three with a triple, two walks and two RBIs. Josh Spiegel and Tayven Kelley both had two hits of their own, while Johnny Piacentino, Kyle Hannon and Cole Bartels each had an RBI.
Nate DeYoung went three-for-four and two RBI to lead the Panthers. Mitchell Buban had an RBI triple and scored two runs.
In the home half of the second inning, Wood put the Nittany Lions on the board with a two-out RBI triple to straight-away center field, scoring Kelley and Jay Harry.
Milwaukee scored a run in the top of the fourth inning on a single off the bat of DeYoung, allowing Buban to cross the plate.
The Panthers scored twice with two outs in the top of the fifth and scored three runs in the frame. A triple to left by Buban drove in Mark Connelly before a single up the middle by Conner Goodman brought home Buban. Another RBI single by DeYoung allowed Goodman to score. Milwaukee led 4-2 after five innings.
Penn State answered with three runs in the seventh. Wood and Spiegel each recorded singles to put two runners on base. Hannon followed with a line-drive single to right to score Wood from third. Bartels then singled up the middle to plate pinch-runner C.J. Pittaro. The third run of the game scored as a throw from Milwaukee's catcher back to the pitcher went wild and Hannon scored. Penn State re-took the lead, 5-4.
The Nittany Lions added an insurance run in the eighth. Kelley led off the inning with a single to left. A fielder's choice retired Kelley at second but allowed Harry to reach. He stole second during the next at-bat and then scored as Piacentino drove a single to left to put Penn State ahead, 6-4.
Penn State continues the series against Milwaukee. On Saturday, the teams meet for a 1 p.m. first pitch. Sunday's contest is slated to begin at 11 a.m. Both games will be livestreamed on B1G+.
The 2022 Penn State baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
Matt Wood