UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team picked up a 7-2 win over Indiana on Saturday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Travis Luensmann fired four shutout innings in relief, while the bats got going early with a pair of solo homers. Penn State improved to 14-8 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play, while Indiana fell to 18-8 overall and 3-1 in conference action.
Game two of Saturday's originally scheduled doubleheader was postponed due to rain. The teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. Postgame Sunday will feature autographs and kids run the bases.
Jaden Henline made his second start of the year for the Nittany Lions, going five innings. He picked up the win after allowing two runs on six hits and walked three. Henline struck out two batters.
Travis Luensmann finished the game, throwing the final four frames. He recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts, while allowing just two hits and a walk. Luensmann struck out three in each of the sixth and seventh innings and two in the eighth. The Altoona native earned the save.
Luke Sinnard got the start for the Hoosiers, going five innings. He gave up four runs on six hits. Sinnard struck out two batters and walked two. Brayden Risedorph went 1.2 frames in release, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out three. Adrian Vega pitched the final 1.1 innings, giving up no runs.
Penn State tallied seven runs on 11 hits. Billy Gerlott collected three hits, including a solo homer. Tayven Kelley also launched a solo homer, while Thomas Bramley had two hits and two runs. Grant Norris drove in two RBI.
Indiana collected two runs on eight hits. Brock Tibbitts went four-for-four with a double and two RBI. Devin Taylor added a triple and two runs.
Indiana jumped out to an early lead. With two outs, Taylor sent a line drive, down the right field line, which settled into the corner as Taylor hustled for a triple. Tibbits followed with a single to left to put the Hoosiers ahead, 1-0.
The Nittany Lions evened the game in the second. With two outs, Gerlott launched the first pitch of his at-bat over the wall in left. His second homer of the season tied the game at 1-1.
The Hoosiers responded with a run in the third. Josh Pyne started the inning with an infield single. A fielder's choice erased Pyne but placed Taylor at first. A double to the gap in left-center allowed Taylor to hustle home from first.
Penn State answered with three runs in the bottom half. Kelley led off the inning by crushing a 1-2 pitch over the fence in left, sneaking it just under the scoreboard. Kyle Hannon followed with a double to the corner in right. An infield single by Bramley put runners on the corners. Jay Harry drove in a run with a single to right as Hannon scored from third. A ground ball by Johnny Piacentino resulted in a double play but allowed Bramley to score. Penn State led 4-2 through three innings.
The Nittany Lions added three more runs in the seventh. With two outs, Bramley reached on a single to right. Harry was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Piacentino lined a single to center to plate Bramley. Piacentino stole second before Norris sent a grounder through the left side to bring home Harry and Piacentino. Penn State extended its lead to 7-2.
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.
Tayven Kelley