ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Penn State baseball team dropped a 12-3 decision at Michigan on Saturday at Ray Fisher Stadium. The Nittany Lions chipped away at an early 5-0 deficit with a run each in the fourth and fifth innings, but Michigan scored five runs in the sixth to re-gain the momentum. The Nittany Lions dropped to 12-7 overall, while Michigan improved to 11-11.
Travis Luensmann got the start for the Nittany Lions, going four innings. Luensmann allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits. He recorded three strikeouts and four walks. Ryan Partridge worked two innings, allowing five runs on four hits. He struck out two batters. Jacob Coffin threw two innings, allowing one run (unearned) on two hits and recording one strikeout.
Chase Allen made the start for Michigan. He gave up two runs on nine hits while striking out five and walking two. Noah Rennard went 1.1 scoreless frames before Eamon Horwedel took the mound for the final two innings, giving up one run on two hits.
Penn State registered 11 hits. Billy Gerlott went three-for-three with an RBI triple. Grant Norris added two hits, including a double, and an RBI. Johnny Piacentino contributed two base knocks and an RBI, while Kyle Hannon had a double, a stolen base and two runs. Brenden Franks had a pinch-hit double and scored a run.
The Wolverines tallied 12 hits Jonathan Kim had two hits, including a double, and three RBI. Jake Marti drove in three runs and scored one, while Ted Burton had two hits, two RBI and two runs. Gabe Sotres had a triple and scored a run.
Michigan jumped out to an early lead in the first. With runners on second and third, Burton chopped a high ground ball to score Cody Jefferis. Joe Longo followed with a double to left to drive in Tito Flores. A line drive by Joey Velazquez rolled into the right field corner for a double to plate Burton and Longo. Michigan led 4-0 after the first frame.
The Wolverines added a run in the third. With one out, Sotres hit a fly ball to right that carried to the wall for a triple. A ground ball by Marti resulted in a ground out, but allowed Sotres to cross the plate. Michigan held a 5-0 lead through three.
Penn State got a run in the fourth. Hannon led off the inning with a double off the wall in right. Piacentino followed with a single to left to put runners on the corners. Two batters later, Norris hit a ground ball deep into the hole at second for an infield single as Hannon scored from third.
Michigan also plated a run in the fourth. Jefferis started the inning with an infield single. Jefferis moved up to second on an error before scoring on a single up the middle by Burton. Michigan extended its lead to 6-1.
Penn State scored a run in the fifth. With two outs, Hannon took a 3-2 pitch for a walk. The junior stole second. Piacentino followed with a single to left as Hannon raced home and beat the throw. The Nittany Lions cut Michigan's lead to 6-2.
Michigan answered with five runs in the sixth. With two outs and the bases loaded, Marti singled to right to score Burton and Robert Pitts Jr. After Mitch Voit drew a walk, Kim hit a line drive to left that was carried to the wall to clear the bases and extend Michigan's lead to 11-2.
The Wolverines added a run in the seventh. With runners on the corners, a ground out to first by Cody Hultink allowed Jack Van Remortel to score. Michigan pushed its lead to 12-2.
Penn State plated a run in the eighth. With two outs, Franks, as a pinch-hitter, lined a double to the corner in right. Gerlott followed with a fly ball to right, which resulted in a triple and scored Franks for the Nittany Lions' third run.
The Nittany Lions conclude their series against the Wolverines on Sunday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. with a broadcast on B1G+.
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.
Billy Gerlott