UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team dropped a 15-11 decision against Minnesota on Sunday afternoon at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The Nittany Lions rallied in the eighth but it wasn't enough to overcome two big innings by the Gophers. Penn State is now 20-19 overall and 7-11 in Big Ten play. Minnesota improved to 20-19 overall and 6-9 in conference action.
Frankie Sanchez made the start for the Nittany Lions. He tossed 3.2 innings and was charged with seven runs (five earned) on seven hits. He struck out one and walked one.
David Lee recorded two outs, while allowing four runs on two hits and two walks. Will Perkowski threw two-thirds of an inning, giving up two runs on three hits. Mason Butash worked a scoreless sixth inning and recording two strikeouts. Anthony Steele threw two innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Ben DeMell worked a shutout ninth, striking out one.
Tyler Hemmesch got the start for Minnesota, working two innings. He allowed one run on three hits. Hemmesch tallied two strikeouts and two walks. Thomas Gross threw three innings, giving up seven runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked two. Tucker Novotny worked 2.1 frames, giving up three runs (one earned) on two hits. He struck out six and walked two. Will Whelan threw the final 1.2 frames, not allowing a run and striking out one.
Penn State collected 11 runs on 11 hits. Joe Jaconski tallied a double and a homer, while driving in three runs and scoring twice. He added a stolen base. J.T. Marr recorded his 21st multi-hit game and seventh three-hit game of the season with three knocks, including an RBI double, and two runs. Bryce Molinaro contributed a two-run single, while Matt Maloney and Tayven Kelley each had two hits and an RBI.
Minnesota had 15 runs on 18 hits. Brady Counsell registered four hits, including a double, three RBI and two runs. Weber Neels had three hits, including a double and a homer, and two RBI, while Josh Fitzgerald had a homer among two hits, two RBI and three runs.
The Nittany Lions got on the board in the first. Joe Jaconski worked a leadoff walk. He stole second before J.T. Marr sent a line drive to the gap in left-center for a double as Jaconski hustled home. Penn State led 1-0.
Minnesota answered in the top of the second. Ike Mezzenga started the inning with a single to right. On a 1-0 pitch, Fitzgerald lifted a fly ball over the wall in left for a two-run homer. Minnesota took a 2-1 lead.
The Gophers added a run in the third on a solo homer to left by Neels. Minnesota extended its lead to 3-1.
Penn State responded in the bottom half of the frame. Bobby Marsh was hit by an 0-2 pitch to begin the inning. Marr singled through the middle to put runners on first and second. Adam Cecere worked a walk to load the bases. Two batters later, Bryce Molinaro lined a single to center to drive in Marsh and Marr. Matt Maloney followed with a single to left-center to bring in Cecere. A groundout by Tayven Kelley allowed Molinaro to score and push PSU's lead to 5-3.
Minnesota answered with four runs in the top of the fourth. Fitzgerald was hit by a pitch to start the inning. With two outs, Sam Hunt reached on a walk. A single by Jack Spanier loaded the bases. Counsell doubled to left to drive in Fitzgerald and Hunt. A pop fly by Jake Perry was misplayed in shallow left to allow Spanier and Counsell to score. Minnesota led 7-5.
The Nittany Lions added a run in the bottom of the fourth. Leading off the inning, Jaconski blasted a 2-1 pitch over the wall in center. Penn State trailed 7-6.
Minnesota exploded for six runs in the fifth. With one out, Fitzgerald singled through the middle. Walks by Kris Hokenson and Charlie Sutherland loaded the bases. Jack Taxdahl singled to right to drive in Fitzgerald. An infield single by Counsell allowed Hokenson to score. Perry drove a double to the gap in left-center to clear the bases. Neels doubled to left to bring home Perry. Minnesota extended its lead to 13-6.
Penn State cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, a fly ball by Kelley landed inside the right field line. Kyle Hannon was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Jaconski ripped a line drive to the wall in left-center for a double as Kelley and Hannon scored. PSU trailed 13-8.
Minnesota added two runs in the seventh. With one out, Perry and Neels singled before Mezzenga was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Two batters later, pinch-hitter Drew Berkland sent a single to left to bring home Perry and Neels. Minnesota pushed its lead to 15-8.
Penn State plated three runs in the eighth. With one out, Marr reached first on a passed ball on a dropped third strike. Cecere drew his fourth walk of the day to put two runners on. Grant Norris lined a single to left, which bounced past the left fielder to bring in Marr and Cecere. A throwing error by the catcher allowed Norris to score. The inning continued as Molinaro was hit by a pitch and Maloney walked. A fielder's choice by Kelley resulted in runners on first and third. However, the inning ended on a groundout. Penn State still trailed 15-11.
The Nittany Lions travel to Annapolis, Md. next weekend, May 3-5, for three non-conference games. Penn State takes on Georgetown on Friday at 4 p.m. PSU battles Navy on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
For updates on the Penn State baseball team, please follow @pennstatebase on X and Instagram.
The 2024 Penn State baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.
Joe Jaconski