Penn State continued to produce in the hitting department after scoring 12 runs in its lone home game against St. John’s. The Nittany Lions hit the road once again after earning their fourth win in mercy rule fashion.
The blue and white headed south to open up a three-game series against Texas Tech. After giving up six runs in the first inning, Penn State was unable to mount a comeback, ultimately dropping Game 1 of the series 15-7.
Colin Fitzgerald got the start on the bump for Penn State. The Lititz, Pennsylvania, native recorded 10 strikeouts and let up four earned runs in his last start.
However, the redshirt senior faced immediate struggles in the first inning against the Red Raiders. After the first two batters reached, third baseman Connor Shouse doubled in Kyeler Thompson to score the first run of the game.
With no outs and bases loaded, Shortstop Linkin Garcia doubled, followed by a single from Caden Ferraro, adding three more runs to the scoreboard. Matt Quintanar later added to the scoring after hitting a double down the left field line, scoring two more runners.
Fitzgerald’s outing came to a close after allowing six runs in the first inning. Mason Horwat came in to relief and ended the inning after one pitch.
Catcher Avery Smith took the six runs put up by Texas Tech personally as he opened the top half of the second inning, hitting his first collegiate career home run that went 328 feet. Three-straight outs ended any other answer the Nittany Lions had in the second.
Both sides were unable to record a hit following the homer, as it was the pitchers who stepped into the spotlight.
That was until left fielder Justin Turcovski’s hit slowly made its way into right field. The Nittany Lions were able to build off the one-out single after shortstop Preston Yaucher doubled in a run. However, a ground ball back to the pitcher led to miscommunication on the bases, resulting in a double play to close the first half of the fourth inning.
The Red Raiders managed to add to their six runs after Penn State was unable to draw up a double play to end the fourth. With the throw being late from second base to first, Shouse scored from third base. The Nittany Lions were able to get out of the fourth after a flyout, keeping the score 7-2 entering the fifth.
Penn State cut into Texas Tech’s lead after third baseman Bryce Molinaro hit a three-run home run to make the score 7-5. The Nittany Lions followed the homer with a two-out single that ultimately ended Lukas Pirko’s outing for the Red Raiders, and brought Jesse Rusinek in for relief.
The blue and white weren’t able to add any more runs on the reliever, ending the first half of the fifth down two.
Ben DeMell entered the game in place of Horwat. The redshirt senior was able to record an out before letting up two runs off a double from Thompson. Matt VanOstenbridge came in to relieve DeMell; however, the sophomore gave up a run against his first batter. Penn State ended the fifth with a strikeout, trailing 10-5.
The Nittany Lions went three-and-out to begin the sixth inning. This was not the same outcome for the Red Raiders in the bottom half. Ferraro sent a solo shot 434 feet over the center field wall to give Texas Tech an 11-5 lead to end the sixth.
Following a scoreless first half of the seventh inning from Penn State, the Red Raiders added two runs to their score off the reliever Frankie Sanchez.
The Nittany Lions found themselves back on the scoreboard after bringing in two runs off of Bryce Suiter, who replaced Jackson Burns.
The bullpen woes continued for the blue and white in the bottom of the eighth. Reliever Ship Shenosky allowed back-to-back home runs, making the score 15-7 as Penn State had one more chance to rally back.
Three straight batters were sent down in order to close out the game.
Penn State gave up 17 total hits and went to its bullpen five times in the loss. A complete opposite display compared to its recent home win and previous Fitzgerald start.
The Nittany Lions showed signs of offense through a pair of home runs and base hits in an attempt to mount some sort of comeback. However, after any sign of offense from the blue and white, the Red Raiders shut it down by answering with a couple of runs of their own.
Up Next
Both teams will return to Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
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