PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Penn State baseball team fell 9-6 in the series finale at Rutgers on Sunday afternoon at Bainton Field. The Nittany Lions jumped out to an early 5-2 lead, but the Scarlet Knights took the lead in the fifth and held on for the victory. Penn State is now 29-20 overall (15-15 Big Ten), while Rutgers improved to 26-26 overall (13-14 Big Ten).
With wins on Friday and Saturday, the Nittany Lions captured their fifth Big Ten series of the season. PSU has won five Big Ten series in a season for the first time since 2012 and won three Big Ten road series for the first time since 2012. The Nittany Lions’ 15 Big Ten wins are its most since 2008 (not counting the Big Ten-only schedule in 2021).
Mason Butash earned the start for the Nittany Lions, working three innings. He gave up three runs on four hits. Butash notched two strikeouts and walked four batters.
Anthony Steele threw 1.2 innings, giving up three runs on three hits. Ben DeMell went 1.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Will Andrews threw the final two innings and allowed one run.
Zach Gleason got the start for Rutgers, throwing two innings. He gave up three runs on three hits. Gleason recorded three strikeouts and a walk. Jack Kirchner went one-third of an inning, allowing two runs (both unearned). Ryan Bradley threw one scoreless inning. Andrew Rondini tossed 2.2 scoreless innings and struck out one. Matthew Cruz threw 2.2 innings, allowing one run and striking out three. Quinn Berglin got the final out of the ninth on a strikeout.
Penn State collected six runs on six hits. Bryce Molinaro tallied two hits, including a two-run homer. Paxton Kling had a hit, an RBI and scored twice. Jesse Jaconski added two hits and scored a run.
With his 27th steal of the season. Ryan Weingartner tied the Penn State season record, held by Michael Campo (27; 1999) and Kyle Hannon (27; 2023). Weingartner also drew his 38th walk of the year, moving into sole possession of eighth in a season at PSU. He broke a tie with C.J. Sichler (37; 1986) and James Coates (37; 2016).
Molinaro tallied his 57th RBI of the year. He is now tied for fourth in a season at PSU with Ben Heath (57; 2010) and Jordan Steranka (57; 2011). On the day, he moved past Chris Wright (56; 2001) and Rob Yodice (56; 2008).
Kling has now scored 55 runs this season, moving into a tie for fourth at PSU with Matt Wood (55; 2022). On the day, he moved ahead of Kevin Billotte (53; 1998), Ben Heath (53; 2010), Eric Spadt (54; 2000) and Sean Deegan (54; 2011).
Rutgers recorded nine runs on 12 hits. Peyton Bonds went four-for-four with a homer, three RBI and three runs. JT Thompson contributed two hits and two RBI, while Trevor Cohen had two hits, including a double, and scored twice.
The Nittany Lions got on the board in the first. With one out, Kling smacked a single through the middle. Molinaro smoked a 3-1 pitch over the wall in left for a two-run homer. Molinaro’s 110 mph blast put PSU ahead, 2-0.
Rutgers matched PSU in the bottom of the first. With one out, Ty Doucette held off on a 3-2 pitch for a walk. Back-to-back walks by Bonds and Pablo Santos loaded the bases with two outs. Thompson dropped a single into center to bring in Doucette and Bonds. The game was even at 2-2.
Penn State plated three runs in the third, all without a hit. Kling and Molinaro worked walks to begin the frame. A grounder by Jesse Jaconski was mishandled to load the bases. Joe Jaconski lifted a fly ball to right and Kling beat the throw home for a sac fly. Jesse Jaconski stole second before Nate Voss held off on a 3-1 pitch for a walk to re-load the bases. A fielder’s choice by Matt Maloney resulted in Molinaro out at home. A passed ball allowed Jesse Jaconski to cross the plate. Derek Cease drew a walk to load the bases before Mike Lucarelli held off on a 3-1 pitch for a walk to bring in Voss. PSU led 5-2.
Rutgers answered with a run in the bottom of the third. With one out, Cohen bounced a fly ball over the wall in left-center for a ground-rule double. Bonds followed with a single through the middle to bring in Cohen. Rutgers trailed 5-3.
The Scarlet Knights added a run in the fourth. Yomar Carreras started the inning with a ground-rule double to right. He moved up to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a single to center by Brennan Hyde. PSU still led, 5-4.
Rutgers took the lead in the fifth. Bonds lined a single to left to begin the frame. Santos drew a walk before a sac bunt by Thompson moved the runners to second and third. A wild pitch allowed Bonds to score. RJ Johnson followed with a groundout to the right side, but Santos crossed the plate for the go-ahead run. Rutgers led 6-5.
The Scarlet Knights added a pair of runs in the sixth. With two outs, Ty Doucette’s fly ball landed on the warning track in center and bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double. Cohen dribbled a grounder for an infield single to put runners on the corners. Bonds lined a single to center to drive in Doucette. A double steal resulted in Cohen scoring and Bonds on second. Rutgers held an 8-5 advantage.
Rutgers extended its lead in the eighth on a two-out solo homer by Bonds. The Scarlet Knights led 9-5.
In the top of the ninth, Matt Maloney worked a one-out walk. With two outs, pinch-hitter Joey DeMucci drew a four-pitch walk. Weingartner held off on a 3-2 pitch for a walk to load the bases. Kling dribbled a grounder to the left side and DeMucci beat the throw to third to allow Maloney to cross the plate. However, a strikeout ended the game with the final score at 9-6.
The Nittany Lions return to PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on Tuesday to take on Pitt at 6 p.m.
Penn State finishes the regular season with a three-game series against Xavier, beginning on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Friday’s game, at 6 p.m., will be played at FNB Field in Harrisburg. Saturday’s Senior Day game will start at 1 p.m.
The 2025 Penn State Baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.