UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team fell to Youngstown State, 2-1, on Tuesday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Despite a strong overall pitching effort which gave up only five hits and no earned runs, while racking up 12 total strikeouts, it wasn't enough to earn a victory.
Penn State dropped to 7-11 on the season with the loss, while Youngstown State improved to 9-11.
Making his fourth start on the season, junior lefthander Kellan Tulio pitched a scoreless first inning and struck out the last batter he faced. In relief, six Nittany Lions pitchers combined to close out the final eight innings with 11 strikeouts.
Jaden Henline came in relief for a scoreless second inning, collecting one strikeout of his own. Jordan Morales followed suit the next two innings, giving up no hits with three strikeouts. Steven Miller kept the shutout going in the fifth inning with no hits and struck out one batter. Tyler Shingledecker pitched 1.2 innings, giving up one run (unearned), two hits and collected two strikeouts. Making his second appearance in three days, Mason Mellott threw 1.2 innings and gave up one run (unearned) with two strikeouts. Anthony Steele was the final Nittany Lions pitcher to make an appearance, striking out two batters in 0.2 innings.
For the Penguins, Nick Perez made his first start on the season, going 4.2 innings with one strikeout. He gave up the lone Penn State run of the game on five hits and two walks. Perez was relieved by the quartet of Kenny Misik, Brandon Matthews, Alex Cardona and Nathan Ball. The Youngstown State bullpen combined to pitch the final 4.1 scoreless innings and racked up six strikeouts.
The Penn State offense collected seven hits and three walks, led by Johnny Piacentino and Billy Gerlott. The duo each had two hits, with Gerlott adding a double and a run. Jay Harry hit his first double on the season. Tayven Kelly collected an RBI single.
Braeden O'Shaunghnessy reached base twice and scored the game winning run for Youngstown State. Lucas Nasonti hit a double and also scored a run. Andre Good collected two hits and Lucas Nasonti had a hit and a run for the Penguins.
The Nittany Lions struck first, with one out in the bottom of the fourth, when Kelley hit an RBI single to left field to score Gerlott, who led off the inning with a double down the left field line.
The Penguins responded in the top of the sixth, tying the game at 1-1 after Nasonti scored off a fielding error that allowed O'Shaughnessy to reach first base safely. Nasonti had doubled with one out and stole third base with two outs.
A run by O'Shaughnessy in the top of the ninth, off a wild pitch, allowed Youngstown State to take the lead. O'Shaughnessy led off the inning with a single and advanced to third base after two passed balls.
Penn State opens Big Ten play this weekend, March 25-27, hosting Rutgers. Friday's contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. on B1G+. Saturday's game will start at 5 p.m. with a broadcast on Big Ten Network. Sunday's first pitch is set for 1 p.m.
The 2022 Penn State baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
Jordan Morales