Penn State continued its first road trip of the season after dropping two out of the three games in its opening weekend at the MLB Desert Invitational.
The Nittany Lions continued their travel away from home as they made their way to Virginia for a four-game series against Richmond.
The blue and white kept the Spiders’ offense quiet throughout all nine innings as it totaled 12 strikeouts, leading to a 5-0 win.
Glenn Smith started on the mound for the Spiders. The sophomore last pitched in Richmond’s home-opening series, where he let up five runs off four hits.
Smith started the first inning with some signs of struggle after walking centerfielder Justin Turcovski. However, following Turcovski being thrown out at second base after a steal attempt, the top of the first came to a close after second baseman Jayden Davis grounded into a double-play.
Colin Fitzgerald recorded a quick first out for Penn State in the bottom of the first after second baseman Michael Elko grounded out to shortstop. The Spiders followed a quick first out with a pair of singles.
Fitzgerald managed to get a quick strikeout for the second out, leading to a challenge from the Spiders after they attempted a double steal to get the first run of the game. Ultimately, catcher Dylan Winebrenner was called out after taking off from third to home.
Right fielder Jack Porter got on base with a bunt single for the Nittany Lions. The Spiders recorded their second out after right fielder Trevor Dosenbach made a diving catch in foul territory. Smith picked off Porter at second base to close out the top half of the second.
Penn State managed to keep the game scoreless after Richmond threatened with two runners on and two outs. A groundout to Davis closed out the second inning for the Nittany Lions.
The blue and white went down quietly in the top of the third after two strikeouts and a groundout kept it off the scoreboard.
The Spiders began to create another scare after Winebrenner hit a triple with one out. However, Fitzgerald managed to escape unscathed after striking out the next two batters to close out the third.
A pitchers’ duel continued through the fourth inning with neither offense finding any momentum. Fitzgerald racked up a pair of strikeouts, reaching seven on the day.
Penn State found itself on the scoreboard first after Spencer Barnett sent a solo home run over the right field wall. This was the Pittsburgh native’s first homer as a Nittany Lion, sending the ball 393 feet over the wall.
Smith’s day ended after the solo shot from Barnett. Penn State’s offense was able to record two more runs off of reliever Angel Santiago-Cruz. Shortstop Bryce Molinaro singled in Michael Anderson, followed by a sacrifice fly from Porter.
Fitzgerald remained in the game for the bottom half of the sixth. This inning marked his last of the game. The senior pitched six full innings without giving up a run and recorded eight strikeouts.
Barnett wasn’t done clearing the fence as he launched his second solo shot that went 374 feet over the center field wall, extending the lead to 4-0.
Dimond Loosli continued to keep the Spiders scoreless after taking the mound for Penn State in the bottom of the seventh.
Christian Dray came in to relieve Sanitago-Cruz, which soon led to a Davis RBI double into left field, increasing Penn State’s lead to five. Dray’s outing was cut short as Keane Hyer closed out the eighth.
Penn State turned to Anderson to close out its first game of the series against Richmond. The Nittany Lions ended the game with a double play.
Up Next
Penn State will return to Pitt Field for a doubleheader against the Spiders starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday
MORE BASEBALL COVERAGE
Penn State will have two games broadcast on the Big Ten Network this season.
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