UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team earned a win in game two to split its doubleheader against Washington on Friday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Nittany Lions dropped the first game, 5-4, but bounced back for a 6-4 win in game two.
The series concludes on Saturday with Senior Day Presented by the Penn State Alumni Association. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.
All games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park are free admission for all ages.
Penn State moved to 14-32 overall (7-19 Big Ten), while Washington is now 22-28 overall (11-15 Big Ten).
In game one, Bryce Molinaro and Preston Yaucher both launched two-run homers. Colin Fitzgerald threw 5.1 strong innings in his start.
In game two, Jayden Davis collected three hits and drove in a run, while Jesse Jaconski homered. Ben Hudson limited the Huskies to three runs over five innings.
Game 1
Colin Fitzgerald earned the start for the Nittany Lions, working 5.1 strong innings. He allowed just one run on six hits. Fitzgerald recorded five strikeouts and allowed two walks. Fitzgerald held the Huskies scoreless over his final 4.2 innings and secured multiple strikeouts in the fifth inning.
Ben DeMell got the final two outs of the fifth, including a strikeout. DeMell made his 78th career appearance on the mound as a Nittany Lion, moving into a tie with Dakota Forsyth (2014-17) for fourth all-time at Penn State.
Kyle Emmons threw two innings, allowing four runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out one. Robert Brown III worked a scoreless top ninth and struck out one.
Jackson Thomas got the start for Washington, working six innings. He gave up two runs on four hits. Thomas registered five strikeouts and walked one batter. Tommy Brandenberg tossed two innings, giving up two runs on three hits and striking out two. Carson Boesel picked up the save with a scoreless ninth.
Penn State notched four runs on eight hits. Bryce Molinaro collected two hits, including a two-run homer and a double. Preston Yaucher launched a two-run homer, the first of his career. Michael Anderson added two hits and a run, while Jesse Jaconski had two hits, including a double.
Molinaro’s home run was the 38th of his career. He trails Shawn Fagan (43; 1997-00) for the career home run record at Penn State.
With his 14th home run of the year, Molinaro tied Grant Norris (14; 2024) for seventh in a season at Penn State.
Jack Porter returned from an injury for a pinch-hit appearance but a deep flyout ended his 31-game reached-base streak, going back to March 1 against Indiana State.
Washington recorded five runs on nine hits. Ethan Swidler blasted a three-run homer. Ty Cowan added a double among two hits and scored a run.
Game 2
Ben Hudson made the start for the Nittany Lions, working five innings. He allowed three runs on seven hits. Hudson notched three strikeouts and two walks. He held the Huskies scoreless in the second through fourth innings.
Mason Butash fired three strong innings, allowing one run on three hits. Butash secured two strikeouts and walked two batters. Mason Horwat picked up the save with a perfect ninth, including two strikeouts.
Noah Kenney started on the mound for Washington, going four innings. He surrendered five runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out three. Liam Lierman worked two innings, giving up one run on three hits. He walked one and struck out three. Bryce Johnson tossed a scoreless seventh and registered two strikeouts. Gunnar Nichols threw a scoreless inning.
Penn State plated six runs on 12 hits. Jayden Davis collected three hits in the leadoff spot, including a double, and added an RBI and two runs. Jesse Jaconski launched a solo homer among two hits and scored twice. Bryce Molinaro drove in two runs.
Washington scored four runs on 10 hits. Jackson Hotchkiss contributed three hits, including a solo homer, and two RBI. Braeden Terry scored twice and drove in a run.
