Penn State began its highly anticipated third season under coach Mike Gambino with a trip out west to Arizona for the MLB Desert Invitational. However, it was a rocky road trip for the Nittany Lions, finishing opening weekend 1-2, with both losses being blowouts.
After a scoreless tie over the first three innings, Air Force pulled away in the season opener with a 15-3 win. Penn State bounced back in its next game behind a productive offense and quality pitching with a 9-3 win over Grand Canyon.
Yet, the Nittany Lions couldn’t carry their momentum into Sunday’s 24-5 loss against Kansas State, as the game turned into a total rout.
Now, the blue and white have some areas to fix before the team travels again for a road series against Richmond this weekend.
Pitching Woes
The results from the mound weren’t pretty for two of the three games. Redshirt senior Colin Fitzgerald had a solid first start as a Nittany Lion against Air Force. The Lititz, Pennsylvania, native allowed two earned runs, four hits and recorded three strikeouts over 3.1 innings. However, he also surrendered four walks, which drove up his pitch count.
As the anchor in Penn State’s rotation, the blue and white likely need more innings in future starts. Junior Kyle Emmons was the only pitcher who didn’t surrender any runs over 0.2 innings.
The game got out of hand when junior Mason Horwat took over. The Pittsburgh native threw two innings and surrendered five runs, two earned and four hits. While the right-hander didn’t have his best outing, Penn State’s defense didn’t help as the squad finished with five errors.
Freshman Robert Brown III didn’t have a smooth collegiate debut in one inning of relief. The North Andover, Massachusetts, native gave up four earned runs, along with three hits and two walks.
It was the same story against Kansas State, with the pitching staff allowing 21 hits and 22 earned runs. Freshman Isaiah Shayter got the start and threw 3.1 innings, allowing six runs, seven hits and three walks.
If Penn State’s starters can’t provide quality starts, the pressure turns on the bullpen to pitch most of the game, which can tire them out as the season progresses. Redshirt senior Frankie Sanchez was the lone pitcher to allow no runs against the Wildcats.
Left handed pitcher Matthew VanOstenbridge (49) pitches the ball during the Penn State baseball game against West Virginia at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mountaineers 3-2.
Matt Cropp
Sophomore Matthew VanOstenbridge and freshman Braden Leed allowed four runs each, with Ostenbridge failing to retire any batter and Leed retiring just one. Mason Butash had another rough outing and surrendered six runs and six hits over 0.2 innings of work.
Penn State needs better production from its starters and bullpen to keep its offense in the game.
The Transfers
The one bright spot in pitching this weekend was sophomore Ben Hudson’s start in the win over Grand Canyon. The West Virginia transfer delivered a quality start in his debut for Penn State, as he allowed just one run on two hits and one walk over five innings. The Medford, New Jersey, native also racked up six strikeouts.
Hudson will be a key piece in Penn State’s rotation, so his outing should make fans excited for future starts on the mound.
Vanderbilt transfer, senior Jayden Davis, delivered an impressive offensive debut throughout the weekend. As the blue and white’s second baseman, the Cookeville, Tennessee, native totaled five hits and two RBI in 14 plate appearances.
With an infield full of many fresh faces, Davis may become an anchor in the diamond for the Nittany Lions as the year progresses.
MORE BASEBALL COVERAGE
Penn State was fresh off a 9-3 win against GCU, ahead of Game 3 in the MLB Desert Invitation…
If you’re interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here.