As the spring lingers in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions have a look at creating a productive season. Ending their 2025 campaign 33-23, their final game against Nebraska resulted in a 6-3 loss.
Looking to bounce back in the 2026 season, the blue and white hope to reach the postseason once again.
After not being able to secure the Big Ten championship, Penn State looks to exceed expectations this season.
For the topic of the postseason to even be brought up, it’s important to know how well the Nittany Lions perform in the regular season.
Facing off in Big Ten play is what’s most important to monitor. The Nittany Lions can compete with any of their conference rivals; the style of play and the depth of the bullpen are the pivotal keys for the squad.
Regular season stakes
A month into baseball season, the Nittany Lions will face off against the Hawkeyes for a three-game home series. This weekend will be the first look into how Penn State can play within the conference.
In early April, Penn State takes a trip to Haymarket Park in Lincoln to face off against Nebraska for a three-game weekend series.
The Washington Huskies visit State College in May for a Big Ten weekend.
How the Nittany Lions perform in their three-game series is a major determinant for how the squad will progress in the postseason.
When the stakes are high, as history has shown, conference play can be tricky. Maryland and Nebraska are the toughest postseason matchups the blue and white can face.
NCAA regional play
Beyond the Big Ten, Penn State’s challenges rise in the NCAA regional bracket.
The biggest problems stem from the power-hungry programs in the ACC and SEC. Dominating the College World Series, the last time a Big Ten school won was back in 1966, when the Ohio State Buckeyes won it all.
In 2019, Michigan reached the final but didn’t win the hardware.
Teams in the south thrive on extra base hits and home runs, so one poor pitch from the Nittany Lion bullpen can change the game within seconds.
No matter the opposition, the blue and white go up against their postseason fate on the execution of pitching, a very clean defense, and scoring early runs.
While there are many months before the Nittany Lions face the playoffs, how the regular season unfolds is a focal point.
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