UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team put together a strong all-around performance in a 7-1 win over Xavier on Thursday evening at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Matt Maloney contributed four hits, including a two-run double, and Penn State pitchers held Xavier to just four hits. Penn State improved to 30-21 on the year, while Xavier dropped to 30-24.
Penn State has reached 30 wins in a season for the first time since 2011 (32-22).
PSU improved to 11-3 in weekend/series openers this season.
The Nittany Lion pitching staff started the game with 4.1 no-hit innings between Ryan DeSanto, Anthony Steele and Ben DeMell.
DeSanto made the start for the Nittany Lions, working two scoreless innings. He did not allow a hit, while notching three strikeouts and a walk. He tallied three strikeouts in the second inning. Steele tossed 2.1 innings, giving up one run (unearned) with a strikeout and three walks.
On the night, DeSanto went over the 200-career innings mark. He has thrown 200.2 career frames.
Steele’s appearance on Friday was the 68th pitching appearance of his career. He is now tied for seventh all-time at PSU with Greg Welsh (68; 2011-14). On the night, Steele passed Greg Young (67; 1987-90).
DeMell posted 1.2 scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and a walk, while securing three strikeouts. Dimond Loosli worked two shutout frames, allowing two hits, and recording two strikeouts. Chase Renner finished the game with a scoreless ninth and struck out one.
Ben Weber got the start for Xavier, going four innings. He allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits. Weber tallied two strikeouts and a walk. Jon Wylie threw two innings, giving up one run on two hits and striking out four. Joseph Chavana worked one-third of an inning, allowing two runs (one earned). Ashton Chronister threw a scoreless inning.
Penn State tallied seven runs on seven hits. Maloney led the way with four hits, including two doubles, and two RBI. Paxton Kling and Bryce Molinaro each had an RBI single and scored a run. Jesse Jaconski stole a base and scored twice.
Kling’s run was his 56th of the season, moving into sole possession of fourth in a season at PSU. He broke a tie with Matt Wood (55; 2022).
Molinaro recorded his 58th RBI of the season, moving into a tie for third at PSU with Chris Wright (58; 2000). He moved past Ben Heath (57; 2010) and Jordan Steranka (57; 2011).
Ryan Weingartner drew his 40th walk of the year, breaking a tie with Shawn Fagan (39; 2000) and Landon Nakata (39; 2008) for sixth in a season at PSU. Weingartner also extended his PSU season steals record with his 29th of the year.
Xavier had one run on four hits. Clay Burdette and Jason Jelic each had a double. Aedan Anderson walked twice and scored a run.
Penn State jumped out to an early lead in the first. Joe Jaconski reached on a throwing error to start the frame. Kling was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Molinaro shot a single to right to bring in Jaconski. The single was misplayed in right to allow Kling to score on the play. After a walk by Jesse Jaconski, a wild pitch moved runners to second and third. Ryan Weingartner lifted a fly ball to right for a sac fly to bring in Molinaro. Nate Voss followed with a sac fly to right to drive in Jesse Jaconski. PSU led 4-0.
Xavier plated a run in the fifth. Anderson worked a five-pitch walk to start the inning. Jason Jelic drew a walk to put runners at first and second. Two batters later, Jake Lambdin sent a line drive to center, which landed just in front of the glove of Paxton Kling, for a single to load the bases. A grounder to the left side by Carter Hendrickson was mishandled to allow Anderson to score and cut the Musketeers’ deficit to 4-1.
Penn State added a run in the seventh. Maloney led off the frame with a double down the right field line. Maloney moved up to third on a groundout. However, Maloney was picked off at third on a throw by the catcher. Mike Lucarelli was hit by a pitch. Joe Jaconski followed with an infield single as Lucarelli hustled to third after the bag was left unattended. After a pitching change, Kling smacked a single into center to bring in Lucarelli. PSU pushed its lead to 5-1.
PSU plated two runs in the eighth. Jesse Jaconski reached on an error to begin the inning. Weingartner worked a walk before a double steal put Jaconski on third and Weingartner on second. Maloney ripped a double down the first-base line to bring in both runners. Penn State extended its lead to 7-1.
The Nittany Lions continue the series against Xavier on Friday at 6 p.m. The game will be played at FNB Field in Harrisburg. Tickets are available here.
Saturday’s Senior Day game is set to start at 1 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
The 2025 Penn State Baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.