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Penn State Baseball: Starting Slow, but Bouncing Back

The Nittany Lions are slowly rounding into form to start 2023.

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Penn State Baseball
A baseball sits in the grass between pitches during the Gateway Conference baseball championship between Sandalwood and Fletcher on April 22, 2022. [Clayton Freeman/Florida Times-Union] 042222 Gatewaybaseball Stock

It may not be officially spring, but it’s officially Penn State baseball season here at Basic Blues Nation.

The 2023 season started Friday, March 17th, in Coral Gables, Florida, against the 22nd-ranked Hurricanes of the University of Miami.  Hope was riding high for the Lions, who made the Big Ten Tournament last year and even recorded a win against a superior Iowa squad before dropping a game against Rutgers and taking another loss against Iowa the day after, eliminating them from the tournament.

Up to now, the Lions have attained a 4-2 record, even recording an impressive upset win to start the season at Miami (more about that soon). Other than that, the rest of the games up to this point have been representative of a slow start and a slow bounce back for coach Rob Cooper’s squad.  

Strong Season Opener: Penn State 9, No. 22 Miami 5

The season opener started hot for Penn State baseball. With the bases loaded in the top of the second inning, junior shortstop Jay Harry(who tied a Big Ten record with six hits in a game against Michigan State last year) hit a double, which scored all three baserunners and brought him to scoring position. He would then be batted in by grad transfer and designated hitter Thomas Branley(Mount St. Mary’s) to put the Nittany Lions up 4-0.

No action would occur again until the top of the 3rd inning, where junior second baseman Kyle Hannon hit a solo home run. The first home run for the Nittany Lions as a team to increase the lead to 5-0 PSU. Miami would get on the board in the bottom half of the inning, where shortstop Dominic Pitelli hit a solo home run to make the score 5-1 PSU.

The next score would occur in the fifth inning, where Penn State senior left fielder Tayven Kelly would hit yet another solo home run for Penn State to make it 6-1. Miami right fielder Zach Levenson hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to add another run for Miami and make it 6-2 Nittany Lions.  

The eighth inning saw the Lions adding three runs, with Hannon (who homered in the third inning) reaching on a fielder’s choice, advancing to second base on the throw, and eventually scoring. Right fielder Billy Gerlott advanced to second base from a throwing error by the Miami pitcher, eventually advancing to third base. Bramley, who was already on base, advanced to third base on the same throw and scored to put up the Lions 7-2.  

Senior Johnny Piacentino then singled, scoring Gerlott and bringing Hannon to third base (8-2 PSU). A passed ball by the Miami catcher proceeded to score Hannon and bring Piancentino to second base, making it 9-2 Penn State.  

In the Miami half of the same inning, Hurricanes third baseman Yohandy Morales doubled, scoring first baseman CJ Kayfus.  Designated hitter Ian Farrow then hit a two-run home run, bringing the eventual final score to 9-5.     

Starter Travis Luensmann had four strikeouts in five innings while giving up one earned run, and reliever Jordan Morales gave up four earned runs. The pitching staff combined for nine strikeouts.

Game 2: No. 22 Miami 10, Penn State 2

In what was a significant breakdown of the Penn State pitching staff and a bright spot for the Hurricanes pitching staff, the Nittany Lions picked up their first loss of the season.  Left fielder for Miami Edgardo Villegas was the catalyst for the early start for Miami, contributing a home run, double, and score to put Miami up 5-0.  There was also a Miami home run in the fifth inning that put Penn State six runs down.  However, Kyle Hannon singled in the seventh inning and scored DH Josh Spiegel to put Penn State on the Board, 6-1.  Another home run (this time of the two-run variety) from Miami followed in the bottom half of the inning, increasing their lead to 8-1.  Jay Harry of Penn State would then single in the eighth inning, scoring pinch hitter Bobby Marsh and contributing to the last PSU run of the game.

The final score ended up being 10-2 Miami, with starter Daniel Oudekirk taking the loss (and giving up three unearned runs along with four total runs) and the bullpen giving up six earned runs.

Game 3: No. 22 Miami 3, Penn State 2

This game was a heartbreaker for the Nittany Lions, who would lose on a walk-off home run.

DH Thomas Branley scored on a wild pitch to put the Lions up 1-0.  A single from Tayven Kelley scored Piancentino to give the Lions a 2-0 lead.  

Miami would then start scoring.  Ian Farrow scored on an unearned opportunity, getting the Hurricanes on the board, 2-1.  Not much would occur for them again until the bottom of the ninth inning, where first baseman CJ Kayfus hit a walk-off two-run homer off of Penn State reliever Steven Miller, handing both him and Penn State the loss in heartbreaking fashion.  This loss also brought the Lions under .500, to 1-2 for the season.

Game 4:  Penn State 7, NIU 3

Penn State baseball went back into the win column with this game, traveling to the Team USA ballpark for the weekend in Cary, North Carolina.

In the first inning, Penn State got on the board with a groundout from Billy Gerlott that scored Thomas Bramley.

Then with hits in the second inning from Bramley (single) scoring third baseman Grant Norris and a double from Billy Gerlott scoring Bramley and Harry, PSU went up 4-0.  

NIU scored a run in the top of the fourth inning from an RBI single, making the score 4-1.  Penn State scored once again in the bottom half of this inning from Kyle Hannon reaching on a throwing error from the NIU shortstop, allowing Bramley and Harry to score.  

PSU continued tacking on runs in the seventh inning, with first baseman Anthony Steele singling, allowing Billy Gerlott to score.  A foul out from Grant Norris allowed Piacentino to score, making the score 7-1 PSU.

NIU scored two more runs to get the final score to 7-3 PSU.

Starter Travis Luensmann once again had a great start, this time only allowing one earned run and picking up the win.  Penn State also broke even with their record, becoming 2-2 with this win.

Game 5:  Penn State 5, NIU 1

Penn State once again won in the second game of their doubleheader against NIU.

NIU got on the board first with an RBI single, getting the score to 1-0 NIU.

Penn State would not score until the fifth inning, when Thomas Bramley singled, scoring Anthony Steele.

Kyle Hannon singled in the sixth inning, scoring Johnny Piacentino.  Grant Norris then singled, scoring Hannon.

In the eighth inning, Norris hit a two-run home run, scoring Kyle Hannon and getting the final score to 5-1 PSU.

Starter Daniel Ouderkirk bounced back from his previous start, posting an impressive eleven strikeouts, allowing a single unearned run, and picking up the win.  

A game was scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 25th, against Maine and was subsequently canceled due to rain.

Game 6: Penn State 11, Monmouth 3

Penn State picked up their third straight win in a dominant outing against Monmouth Sunday morning.  

However, the game did not start off in favor of the Nittany Lions.  Monmouth would strike first in the second inning, scoring from an RBI double and a wild pitch to make the score 2-0 Monmouth.

Penn State’s scoring would start in the bottom half of the second inning, where outfielder Tayven Kelley hit an RBI single to score Kyle Hannon and put Penn State on the board, 2-1 Monmouth.

Most of the Lions’ scoring came in the third inning, where a single to start things off from Billy Gerlott scored Jay Harry and tied the ballgame, 2-2.  Tayven Kelley then, with the bases loaded as a result of the previous at-bats, was able to walk in Josh Spiegel for another Penn State run, giving them the lead in the process with a score of 3-2 Nittany Lions.  Grant Norris then hit a single to score two of the baserunners, which put Penn State up 5-2.  

Anthony Steele would then proceed to bat a bases-clearing single to center field, scoring Norris and Kelley.  Most impressive after this was probably shortstop Jay Harry’s triple, which came off of a full count and scored Steele to make the score 8-2 Lions.  

Monmouth would then add a run via a home run to make it 8-3.

Anthony Steele singled in the fifth inning to score Kelley and tack on yet another run for PSU.  Thomas Branley hit the first home run for PSU in the sixth inning, making the score 10-3.  Steele would finally double to right field in the seventh, scoring Norris and giving Penn State the win with a final score of 11-3.

Junior pitcher Jaden Henline, who came in in the third inning to replace sophomore Tommy Molsky, picked up his first win of the season after pitching six innings and only allowing a single unearned run.

What’s Upcoming for Penn State Baseball?

The Nittany Lions stay in Cary and play Wagner next on March 4th at 11 a.m. Eastern Time.  

Make sure to stay locked into Basic Blues Nation for coverage of Penn State baseball throughout the whole season.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics.

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Penn State hockey ranked in preseason poll

The Penn State hockey team has learned its presesaon ranking.

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Penn State hockey, USCHO
Michigan State scores past the Penn State goalie Liam Souliere (31) in the second period at Munn Arena Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. Michigan State Penn State 7

Penn State hockey is coming off one of their best seasons in program history. The Nittany Lions finished the 2022/23 season ranked #8 in the country after an overtime loss to Michigan in the quarterfinals. This year Guy Gadowsky’s squad will look to make a return to the NCAA tournament and are receiving some national recognition. Where does Penn State rank in the preseason USCHO poll?

Nationally Ranked

The United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) has released its preseason top 20 rankings for the 2023/24 season. Penn State will enter this year ranked #16 and look to make their second consecutive and 4th overall NCAA tournament appearance. The Nittany Lions will look to replace a bunch of key contributors from last year’s Top 10 team and will rely on a few seniors to help transition the program.

Potential Record-Breaking Year

The Nittany Lions will be led by goaltender Liam Souliere who is on track to break multiple Penn State hockey records. The senior currently sits 1st all-time at Penn State with a 2.72 goals against average and 2nd all-time with a .908 save percentage. Souliere ranks 3rd in all-time wins (27), games played (56), games started (55), minutes (3192:43), saves (1430), and shutouts (3). He is expected to break at least a few of those records and is thought by many as the best goalie that Penn State has had in its 11-year history.

Talented Big Ten

The Big Ten conference has been gaining strength the past few seasons in the world of college hockey and that has continued into the 2023/24 season.  A stunning 6 of the 7 members are ranked in the preseason Top 20 in the USCHO. Headlining are frozen four contenders Minnesota (3), Michigan (5), and Michigan State (9). Ohio State (13), Penn State (16), and Notre Dame (20) are all capable of making an NCAA Tournament appearance. It is clear that the transfer portal and NIL have greatly helped strengthen the conference, which is still looking for its first national championship since forming in 2013/14.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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ICYMI: Penn State lands No. 1 recruit in the nation for 2025

Penn State just landed the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the 2025 cycle. What does this mean for the Nittany Lions’ dominance moving forward?

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Penn State wrestling, No. 1 recruit in the nation, PJ Duke
Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson, left, high-fives wrestler Drew Hildebrandt after his major decision win at 125 pounds during a NCAA Big Ten Conference wrestling dual against Iowa, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. 220127 Penn St Iowa Wr 033 Jpg

The Penn State Wrestling dynasty continues to roll along, as Cael Sanderson picked up another major commitment last night. The Nittany Lions landed PJ Duke, the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the 2025 cycle. What does the commitment mean for the program, and what are the expectations moving forward for Penn State wrestling?

No. 1 recruit in the nation PJ Duke picks Penn State wrestling

PJ Duke, the No. 1 recruit in the nation for the 2025 class, has decided to take his talents to State College. Duke currently wrestles at 150 pounds and projects to wrestle at 157 when he arrives in Happy Valley.

Penn State currently has Levi Haines at 157, who was an NCAA finalist last season as a true freshman. There also is 2024 No. 6 overall recruit Joe Sealey, who could wrestle at 157. There will be plenty of teammates to train with as Penn State wrestling continues to solidify the middle of its lineup. PJ Duke, who currently wrestles at powerhouse Minisink Valley High School (NY), will join former teammate Zack Ryder, a member of the 2024 Penn State recruiting class.

Recruiting Dominance

Duke’s commitment marks back-to-back classes where Penn State wrestling has landed the No. 1 recruit in the nation. This commitment builds off an already stacked 2024 class, that is already the best in the country.

The Nittany Lions currently have the No. 1 (Luke Lilledahl), No. 5 (Zack Ryder), No. 6 (Joseph Sealey), No. 10 (Connor Mirasola), No. 13 (Mason Gibson), and No. 21(Cole Mirasola) nationally ranked wrestlers across all weight classes committed for 2024. The Penn State wrestling program has a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail, including stacking wrestlers at similar weight classes.

Quest for a 3-peat for Penn State

Penn State wrestling enters the 2024 season as a heavy favorite to win a third straight national championship. If accomplished, it would be the 12th 3-peat in NCAA wrestling history and the 3rd in Penn State history. The other two occurrences were 4-peats under Cael Sanderson between 2011-2014 and 2016-2019.

The Nittany Lions have a wrestler ranked in the top 20 in all 10 weight classes entering the season. Eight of those 10 wrestlers rank in the top 3 of their respective weight classes. Penn State will have 4 wrestlers ranked No. 1 to enter the season: Levi Haines (157), Carter Starocci (174), Aaron Brooks (197), and Greg Kerkvliet (HWT).

The Nittany Lions will have an opportunity this season for multiple individual national champions, all while putting up a monster team score at the NCAA Tournament in March.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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ICYMI: Penn State hockey announces non-conference schedule

The first portion of the Penn State hockey schedule was released this week.

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Penn State hockey
Mar 14, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Penn State's Evan Bell (7) looks to shoot against Note Dame at the Compton Family Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune-USA TODAY NETWORK

With football just days away and the summer heat still present, not many people are thinking about hockey right now. That is, except for the administrators working on scheduling the upcoming 2023-2024 Penn State hockey campaign.

There is still a lot of work to be done, as the whole Big Ten schedule has yet to be announced, but the first pieces of the Penn State schedule were released this week. It is a typical Penn State hockey non-conference schedule, full of cupcake opponents and lacking a marquee matchup. Let’s break it down.

October 7th @ Long Island

Penn State will travel to Long Island to play one of Division I hockey’s newest foes. Long Island University started its hockey program in the 2020-2021 shortened season and has yet to make much noise. Long Island played two games at Pegula Ice Arena in 2021, both of which were Penn State wins. This is an odd trip for a program like Penn State to make, as the Nittany Lions will play in a community ice rink with almost no seating capacity. Long Island is almost guaranteed a bottom-20 finish, so this is a must-win for Penn State.

October 13/14 @ Clarkson/St. Lawrence

Penn State will continue on the road with a two-game Upstate New York ECAC road trip against Clarkson and St. Lawrence. The Nittany Lions made the same trip in 2017 to open the season, splitting the two games. Clarkson looks to be a contender in the ECAC this year, while St. Lawrence will likely slot in its typical spot near the bottom of the conference. A road win against Clarkson could look very nice on Penn State’s resume come March.

October 20/21 vs. AIC

Continuing the rerun of the 2017 schedule, Penn State will open the home portion of its schedule against AIC. The only time these two teams met was an October 2017 series, in which the teams split. Since then, AIC has been a consistent contender in the Atlantic Hockey Conference and even notched a few NCAA Tournament wins. Still, this is a series Penn State will want to sweep.

October 26/27 vs. Alaska-Anchorage 

This Thursday/Friday series will see Alaska-Anchorage travel to Pegula for the first time since 2016, in which it was swept by the Nittany Lions. Alaska-Anchorage is another perennial bottom-dweller, and a loss could damage Penn State’s postseason hopes. 

November 24/25 vs. Lindenwood

Even though the schedule looks like Penn State will have a month off, the Nittany Lions won’t. Big Ten play will kick off the first weekend of November and fill the gap between non-conference series. Lindenwood played its first Division I season last year, and this will be the first meeting between the two schools. Again, this is another must-win for Penn State.

January 6 vs. Army

The final non-conference game of the regular season will be against Army on January 6th at Pegula. This will mark the first time Army has come to Pegula since the building’s opening night in October 2013. Army has never been much of a threat on the ice, and there is no reason to see that changing this year, likely with another bottom-20 finish.



Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at [email protected] or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!

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