UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team took game one of its weekend series against Ohio State, earning a 10-3 win over the Buckeyes on Friday night at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. A first-inning grand slam by Johnny Piacentino set the tone as the Nittany Lions improved to 21-14 overall and 3-7 in Big Ten play. Ohio State dropped to 20-18 overall and 3-10 in conference action.
With the win, Penn State is now 9-1 in weekend openers this season.
Jaden Henline got the ball for his fifth start of the season for the Nittany Lions and recorded his fifth win of the year. He tossed seven innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. He recorded four strikeouts. Henline allowed only one extra-base hit while going six or more innings for the third straight start. He has thrown six or more innings in six outings.
Ryan Partridge threw two shutout innings in relief, recording four strikeouts and allowing no hits or runs. He struck out the side in the ninth.
Gavin Bruni made the start for the Buckeyes. He threw three innings and gave up six runs (five earned) on five hits. He recorded three strikeouts and one walk. Wyatt Loncar threw 1.2 innings in relief and allowed one run on three hits. Jake Johnson tossed 1.1 innings and gave up two runs on two hits. Cole Pauley pitched the remainder of the game and give up a run.
Penn State notched eleven hits. Piacentino recorded two hits, including the grand slam. Bobby Marsh contributed a double, three RBI and a run. Jay Harry launched a solo homer among three hits and three run. Thomas Bramley registered two hits, two runs and an RBI, while Josh Spiegel scored three runs.
Piacentino's grand slam was Penn State's third this season and the second of his career. He joined Ben Kailher (vs. Holy Cross, March 6) and Thomas Bramley (at Purdue, April 14) as Nittany Lions with grand slams this season.
Ohio State tallied nine hits. Kade Kern notched two hits, including a two-run homer. Mitchell Okuley had two hits and two runs, while Trey Lipsey recorded two hits.
The Nittany Lions wasted no time getting to work in the bottom of the first inning. After Harry was hit by a pitch, Spiegel and Bramley recorded singles to load the bases for Johnny Piacentino. The senior sent an 0-1 pitch over the wall in right-center for a grand slam to put Penn State ahead, 4-0.
Penn State added two runs in the third. With one out, Spiegel reached on an error. Bramley drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Marsh drove a fly ball to the warning track in left-center for a double as Spiegel and Bramley scored. Penn State pushed its lead to 6-0.
Ohio State cut its deficit with a run in the fifth. With one out, Okuley singled to right and Lipsey reached on an infield single. Kern singled to right to load the bases. Tyler Pettorini grounded out on the infield, but allowed Okuley to score. Ohio State trailed 6-1.
Penn State answered with a run in the bottom half. Marsh was hit by a pitch with one out and moved up to second on a wild pitch. Piacentino singled to right to put runners on the corners. Grant Norris sent a grounder through the right side to plate Marsh and extend Penn State's lead to 7-1.
The Nittany Lions added two runs in the sixth. Harry started the inning with a. single to right and Spiegel drew a walk. Bramley lined a single to right to bring home Harry and move Spiegel to third. A fielder's choice by Marsh drove in Spiegel from third. Penn State led 9-1 through six innings.
The Buckeyes plated two runs in the seventh. With one out, Okuley singled to left. Two batters later, Kern launched a fly ball over the wall in left for a two-run shot. Ohio State trimmed its deficit to 9-3.
Leading off the eighth, Harry blasted a 2-2 pitch over the right field wall for a solo homer. Penn State extended its lead to 10-3.
The series continues on Saturday, scheduled for a 2 p.m. start. Saturday is Wear White Day as fans are encouraged to wear white. Saturday also features postgame autographs and a trading card giveaway. The series finishes on Sunday at 1 p.m. Sunday is Little League Day and features postgame kids run the bases.
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.
Johnny Piacentino celebrates his grand slam