EAST LANSING, Mich. – Bryce Molinaro launched a go-ahead, three-run homer in the top of the ninth to help the Penn State baseball team to an 11-9 win over Michigan State on Sunday at McLane Stadium at Kobs Field. Bobby Marsh added two homers and five RBI. Penn State improved to 19-17 overall and 6-9 in Big Ten play, while Michigan State dropped to 17-20 overall and 5-7 in Big Ten action.
Frankie Sanchez started on the mound for Penn State. He threw 3.2 frames, giving up five runs (two earned) on five hits. He tallied three strikeouts and three walks.
Matt Morash went 1.1 innings in relief, giving up two runs on one hit and three walks. Anthony Steele threw an inning and allowed a walk. Mason Horwat earned the win, firing the final three innings. He gave up two runs (one earned) on four hits.
Nick Ferazzi got the start for the Spartans. Ferazzi went 3.2 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits. He registered a strikeout and three walks. Garrett Brewer threw one-third of an inning. Aaron Mishoulam fired three scoreless innings, giving up one hit, and striking out four. Nolan Higgins threw one inning, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks. Logan Pikur worked a scoreless inning.
Penn State tallied 11 runs on 14 hits, including four homers. Bobby Marsh recorded his first career multi-homer game, blasting two homers among three hits and driving in five runs. Adam Cecere had two hits, including a double and a homer, and drove in three runs. Bryce Molinaro tallied two hits, including a three-run homer. J.T. Marr notched a double among three hits and scored twice, while Grant Norris had two hits and scored a run.
Michigan State notched nine runs on 10 hits. Jack Frank and Christian Williams each had two hits and an RBI, while Frank scored twice. Greg Ziegler tallied two hits and two runs.
Penn State jumped out to an early lead. In the third, Joe Jaconski worked a one-out walk. Marsh followed by crushing the first pitch of his at-bat over the wall in right for a two-run shot. After a single through the middle by Marr, Cecere hammered a fly ball over the wall in right for PSU's second homer of the inning. PSU led 4-0.
The Nittany Lions extended their lead in the fourth. Tayven Kelley led off the inning with a. walk. He stole second before Marsh launched his second homer of the day, again to right. Marr hustled to second for a double after lining it into the left-center gap. Cecere ripped a double to left to bring home Marr. Penn State held a 7-0 lead.
Michigan State answered in the bottom of the fourth. Nick Williams drew a walk to start the inning. Ryan McKay singled to left before Ziegler walked to load the bases. Christian Williams held off on a 3-2 pitch for a walk as Nick Williams scored. Two batters later, a grounder by Sam Thompson was misplayed to allow McKay and Ziegler to score. Frank singled to left to bring home Christian Williams. A single to left by Dillon Kark drove in Thompson. Penn State still led, 7-5.
The Spartans tied the game in the sixth. Randy Seymour and Frank worked back-to-back walks. With one out, Nick Williams drew a walk to load the bases. A wild pitch allowed Seymour to cross the plate. McKay lifted a fly ball to left for a sac fly as Frank scored. The game was even at 7-7.
Penn State re-took the lead in the top of the eighth. With two outs, Kyle Hannon singled to left. Hannon stole second before Jaconski worked a walk. Marsh sent a single through the right side to bring home Hannon. PSU led 8-7.
The Spartans responded in the bottom half. With one out, Frank doubled to right-center. A bloop single to right-center by Nick Williams allowed Frank to score. The game was tied, again, at 8-8.
Penn State answered in the top of the ninth. Cecere held off on a 3-2 pitch for a walk before Grant Norris lined a single to center to put runners on first and second. On the first pitch of his at-bat, Molinaro launched a fly ball to right, which sailed over the wall for a three-run homer. The Blue and White took an 11-8 lead.
The Nittany Lions begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday against No. 22 West Virginia. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
All home games are free admission for all ages.
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The 2024 Penn State baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
Bobby Marsh