EVANSTON, Ill. – The Penn State baseball team dropped a tough 5-2 decision in 10 innings at Northwestern on Sunday at Rocky and Berenice Miller Park. The Wildcats hit a walk-off, three-run homer in the 10th.
Penn State is now 12-17 overall and 3-6 in Big Ten play, while Northwestern improved to 14-13 overall and 4-2 in conference action. All three games in the series were decided by three runs or less. Northwestern won 5-4 in Saturday's first game, but Penn State earned a 4-1 win in game two before Sunday's series finale.
Steven Miller made his first career start for the Nittany Lions, going three innings. The senior held Northwestern scoreless while allowing two hits. Miller struck out three while facing just one batter above the minimum.
Jordan Morales took over on the mound to begin the fourth, throwing two innings. He allowed one run (unearned) and two hits. Morales tallied two strikeouts. Tommy Molsky came on in the sixth, going 1.2 innings. Molsky allowed one run on two walks and no hits, while striking out two. Mason Mellott entered with two outs in the seventh, going 2.2 innings, giving up three runs on four hits and striking out two.
Grant Comstock got the start for Northwestern. Comstock went five innings, giving up two runs on three hits and a walk. The freshman struck out three batters. Jack Sauser entered the game in the sixth, throwing two perfect innings including a strikeout. Parker Hanks came on to start the eighth, pitching to two batters and striking out one, before Reed Smith entered the game and threw 1.2 innings, giving up three hits. Jay Beshears then moved from second base to pitcher and threw a scoreless 10th.
Penn State tallied two runs on seven hits. Jay Harry went two-for-four with a double and a run. Josh Spiegel and Anthony Steele each had a hit and an RBI, while Matt Wood hit a double.
Northwestern collected five runs on eight hits. Stephen Hrustich hit the walk-off homer. Alex Calarco had two hits and an RBI, while Jay Beshears had two hits and a run.
The Nittany Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Harry led off the game with an infield single. Johnny Piacentino then shot a ground ball into left to put runners on first and second. Cole Bartels was hit by a pitch to load the bases before a walk drawn by Steele plated Harry from third. Josh Spiegel then hit a grounder to third, which resulted in a fielder's choice and Piacentino scoring.
Northwestern scored a run in the fourth. Anthony Calarco reached on an error to start the inning. Beshears then singled to left. A balk call moved the runners to second and third before Alex Calarco sent a single to right to plate his brother from third. Penn State led 2-1 through four innings.
The Wildcats tied the game in the seventh. Walks drawn by Andrew Pinkston and JC Santini and a single by Ethan O'Donnell loaded the bases with two outs. Anthony Calarco then worked an eight-pitch walk to score Pinkston from third. The game was even at 2-2 after seven.
Northwestern won the game on a walk-off three-run homer in the 10th. Beshears roped a one-out double to left and Patrick Herrara drew a walk. Hrustich then hit a fly ball over the wall in left to win the game.
The Nittany Lions host West Virginia for a non-conference game on Tuesday at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
Penn State then welcomes Purdue to continue Big Ten play. The series begins on Thursday at 6 p.m. Friday's contest is also starting at 6 p.m. and Saturday's game is set for a 1 p.m. start.
The 2022 Penn State baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
Steven Miller