CARY, N.C. – The Penn State baseball team wrapped up a 3-0 weekend in Cary with an 11-3 win over Monmouth on Sunday morning. The Nittany Lions exploded for seven runs in the third to break the game open and got six strong innings from Jaden Henline. Penn State improved to 4-2 on the season, while Monmouth dropped to 2-4.
Tommy Molsky made the start on the mound for the Nittany Lions. He threw two full innings and began the third inning. Molsky allowed two runs on one hit and five walks, while striking out three. Jaden Henline entered the game in the third and shut down the Hawks' offense with six strong innings. Henline gave up just one run on six hits, while striking out three and walking one. Connor Throneberry pitched the ninth inning, a scoreless frame.
Jem Sisco got the start for Monmouth, going 2.2 innings. He gave up eight runs (seven earned) on six hits and five walks, while striking out three. Reed Interdonato finished the third inning and threw four innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out four. Drew Helmstetter threw 1.1 scoreless frames, striking out one.
Penn State recorded 11 runs on 14 hits. Anthony Steele tallied three hits, including a double, and four RBI. Tayven Kelley and Grant Norris each contributed two hits, two runs and two RBI with Kelley adding a double. Billy Gerlott collected three hits and an RBI. Tommy Bramley launched a solo homer, while Jay Harry roped an RBI triple and scored a run.
The Hawks had three runs on nine hits. Eric Sabato registered two hits, including a solo homer. Austin Denlinger went three-for-three with a double and an RBI.
Monmouth got two runs on the board in the top of the second. With one out, Mason Wolf drew a walk and Will Trochiano was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, Denlinger hit a ground ball into left-center and ended up at second for a double, allowing Wolf to score. A wild pitch during the next at-bat brought home Trochiano to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Penn State answered with a run in the bottom half. Kyle Hannon worked a leadoff walk. Hannon then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Kelley followed with a single up the middle to drive in Hannon and trim the deficit to 2-1.
The Nittany Lions exploded for seven runs in the third. Jay Harry began the inning with a walk. Two batters later, Josh Spiegel reached on an infield single. A single through the right side by Gerlott allowed Harry to score. Johnny Piacentino reached on a fielder's choice, moving Spiegel to third. After Piacentino stole second and Hannon walked, Kelley worked a bases loaded walk to score Spiegel. Norris dribbled a single through the middle to bring home Spiegel and Piacentino. Anthony Steele followed with a line drive single to center to score Hannon and Kelley. After a pair of wild pitches moved Steele to third, Harry roped a triple off the wall in right to plate Steele. Penn State led 8-2 through three innings.
Monmouth responded with a run in the top of the fourth on a solo homer by Sabato, to cut its deficit to 8-3.
Penn State added a run in the fifth. With one out, Kelley lined a double off the wall in right. Two batters later, Steele singled to right to plate Kelley. Penn State led 9-3 through five.
The Nittany Lions scored their 10th run of the day on a solo homer to right by Bramley. The grad student launched a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right for his first homer as a Nittany Lion. Penn State led 10-3 after six innings.
Penn State added a run in the seventh. After a two-out single by Norris, Steele hit a line drive to the corner in right for a double as Norris came around to score. Penn State extended its lead to 11-3.
The Nittany Lions return to Cary, N.C. next weekend. On Saturday, March 4, Penn State will take on Wagner at 11 a.m. and Dartmouth at 2 p.m. The Nittany Lions battle Holy Cross on Sunday and Monday, both games at 1 p.m.
Season and single game tickets for the 2023 Penn State baseball season are available here. Season tickets are $75 for adults and free for youth (ages 12 and under).
The 2023 Penn State baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline
Anthony Steele