Penn State Baseball looked to continue its success after securing a victory in its first matchup in a three-game series versus Ohio State. The team has not been strong on the road or against conference opponents. Ultimately, the Nittany Lions lost 3-2 to the Buckeyes.
Righty pitcher Chris Domke started on the mound for the Buckeyes. Jayden Davis topped the order for the Nittany. Michael Anderson and Davis made for two quick outs and Bryce Molinaro singled to get the hitting started. Spencer Barnett lined out to center to flip the field.
On the mound first for Penn State was Ben Hudson, a right-handed pitcher who transferred from West Virginia. Alex Bemis was walked on a full count and Henry Kaczmar was hit by a pitch, leading to a double steal off a bunt from Noah Furcht. Furcht was then also hit by a pitch. Dane Harvey hit a sacrifice fly for Bemis for the first score of the game. Maddix Simpson grounded out to end the inaugural inning. Ohio State led 1-0.
Jack Porter singled to center field for the Nittany Lions’ second hit of the game. Kevin Karstetter popped out and Avery Smith lined out to left field for two quick outs. Maddox McDonald struck out looking, stranding a runner for the second inning in a row.
Hudson recovered from his rough first inning. CJ Reid flew out to right field, Lee Ellis and Miles Vandenheuvel both grounded to third, with Barnett making great plays to first. A quick second inning to start the game, Penn State still trailed 1-0.
Preston Yaucher grounded out to shortstop with a nice play on first from Harvey. Back to the top of the order, Davis was walked on four straight balls from Domke, his first for the day. Anderson and Molinaro both flew out to right and left field consecutively. A third-stranded runner for the Nittany Lions.
Bemis got the first hit for the Buckeyes with a single to center field, but got caught going to second on a fielder’s choice from Kaczmar, who advanced to second on a wild pitch. Furcht hit a double, which allowed Kaczmar to get home and Mason Eckelman grounded out. Furcht got to third. Harvey was hit by a pitch, Hudson’s third batter hit for the game and Simpson struck out swinging to end the third. Penn State down 2-0.
The Nittany Lions offense improved slightly, stranding two runners this inning. Karstetter was hit by a pitch and made it to second off a single from Smith, though McDonald struck out swinging to end the batting. Penn State made quick work on defense. Reid fouled and Ellis grounded out. Vandenheuval struck out looking.
Yaucher flew out a foot away from outside the park. Davis reached first for his second time in a row but got caught in a double play from an Anderson groundout. Kaczmar reached base for the third time without a hit. Hudson finished his day on the mound after Furcht flew out. Righty Mason Butash replaced him after 79 pitches. Kaczmar got caught stealing second to end the inning.
Molinaro walked to start the 6th, Barnett singled and Molinaro got to third. Porter hit a sacrifice fly that led to Penn State’s first run of the game by Molinaro. Smith singled, followed by a McDonald single off a bunt. With bases loaded, the Buckeyes swapped Domke for Nick Sawyer on the mound. Sawyer struck out Yaucher swinging. Penn State now trailed 2-1.
Eckelman lined out to shortstop, and Harvey grounded out to third. Simpson singled to left field, but Reid fouled out to end the 6th. The Nittany Lions fell back on their offensive struggles. Davis lined out, Anderson grounded out, and Molinaro struck out swinging.
The Buckeyes followed Penn State’s lead with a quick three-and-out for their batters. Ellis and Vandenheuvel both flew out and Bemis grounded out. A very fast seventh frame, with an unchanged score.
A pitching change started the 8th, Sawyer came out and righty Ryan Zamora came in. Zamora made quick work of Barnett and Porter. Karstetter singled to right field. Smith struck out swinging to end the penultimate at-bat for Penn State.
Kaczmar walked and advanced to third after a single from Furcht and a sacrifice bunt from Grant Mangrum. Harvey was intentionally walked and Butash was swapped for DeMell. Simpson hit a sacrifice fly for a Kaczmar score. DeMell struck out Ellis, looking for minimal damage. Ohio State led 3-1.
Justin Turcovski came in to pinch hit for McDonald, but grounded out. Yaucher was walked and scored off a Davis double to left center. Davis advanced to third on a wild pitch. Molinaro struck out swinging to end the Nittany Lions’ chances.
Up next
Penn State will conclude its away series in Columbus tomorrow at 1 p.m.
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