After obtaining a 33-23 overall record and reaching the Big Ten semifinals, Penn State looks to reach the postseason for a third-straight year with a promising pitching staff.
However, losing an ace to the MLB Draft in Ryan DeSanto could pose a threat to third-year head coach Mike Gambino. The skipper turned to the transfer portal in an attempt to fill a void in the starting rotation.
Starters
Gambino found a possible hidden gem in Kyle Lazer through the portal. Lazer spent four years at West Chester and joined Penn State as a redshirt senior. While transitioning from a Division II to a Division I school can be unusual, Lazer arrives off his best season by far.
The right-handed pitcher made 13 starts and earned an 8-3 record. In those 13 appearances, Lazer recorded a 3.17 ERA with 75 strikeouts in 71 innings.
While competition will surely ramp up for the Havertown, Pennsylvania, native, he has the chance to find himself a starting role and continue to produce great outings.
Frankie Sanchez looks to make his return to the rotation after being out the entirety of the 2025 season with injury. Before being injured, the right-handed pitcher threw 27 strikeouts in 37.2 innings.
The redshirt senior will have a shot to end his final collegiate season with stellar outings and continue to add to the starting rotation.
Penn State baseball pitcher Frankie Sanchez (20) pitches the ball during a game against Northwestern on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at Medlar Field and Lubrano Park in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Wildcats 15-1.
Joel Haas
Relievers
The bullpen received a couple of additions through the portal, as well. One being Ben Hudson from West Virginia.
The right-handed pitcher saw 27.1 innings in which he recorded 30 strikeouts. Hudson didn’t allow a run in any game where he pitched more than an inning. The Medford, New Jersey, native did his part in getting the Mountaineers to the NCAA Super Regionals.
Of the returning arms, Matthew VanOstenbridge looks to continue to produce for the bullpen after making 23 appearances in his freshman year. The southpaw recorded a 4.32 ERA, striking out 38 in 41.2 innings.
VanOstenbridge will continue to be a hot arm out of the bullpen.
Similar to Sanchez, Ben DeMell enters his final collegiate season as a redshirt senior after a promising 2025 season. The right-handed pitcher brought his ERA down to 4.65 after doubling his previous strikeout total to 43.
The Concord, Ohio, native brings a towering figure at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, a size that could shake batters as they will be awaiting strong and fast pitches from the mound.
From dipping into the transfer portal to returning arms in the bullpen, Gambino sets his pitching room up in hopes of making it further than the semifinals in the Big Ten tournament.
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