Topics

More

Penn State Baseball Turns Two Triple Plays In One Game

Yes, you read that correctly.

In the first game of a season-ending doubleheader against Michigan State on Friday, the Nittany Lions converted two triplet-killings, the second team in the history of the NCAA to do so, according to the team’s Twitter account.

Triple Play #1 came in the fourth inning, when Spartan designated hitter Blaise Salter hit a liner to shortshop Jim Haley, who stepped on second and threw to first for a 6-3 scoring. Coincidentally, that was the team’s second triple play of the year, which tied it for the NCAA lead with West Virginia.

Of course, the Lions weren’t done. In the eighth, they’d kill three birds with one ball again on a Jimmy Pickens liner to second baseman Taylor Skerpon in the same situation. This one was scored 4-6-3. The Lions are now tops in triple plays in the whole NCAA.

See for yourself:

If you’re not baseball-inclined, this feat is simply incredible. The only other team to ever do this was Gonzaga in 2006, and frankly, I’m pretty shocked this has ever happened before. At the Major League level, this has only happened once, when the Minnesota Twins did it to the Boston Red Sox in 1990.

“It was pretty crazy,” coach Rob Cooper said. “So many games are played and that has only happened once before.”

People took notice:

The pair of triple plays earned No. 1 on Sportscenter’s Top 10. Ironically, Penn State lost, 4-2. It also lost the nightcap, 4-1.

“It’s great publicity for our program and all, but if I’m being honest with you, I’d trade it for some wins today,” Cooper said.

Way to make baseball nerds everywhere proud, fellas.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Tim Gilbert

Former managing editor and staff writer.

No. 16 Penn State Football Soars Past Temple 27-9

Make that 41 all-time wins against the Owls for Penn State.

Penn State Football Defensive End Max Granville Out For Rest Of Season

Granville missed all of the 2025 season with a long-term injury.

Penn State Football Names Team Captains Against Temple

Siale Taupaki joins Rocco Becht, Anthony Donkoh, and Kooper Ebel.

113kFollowers
70.6kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter

Other posts by Tim

Penn State’s New Academic Mark Is Just Awful

My brain is not able to understand how a team of people supposedly proficient in this industry gathered, looked at this new mark, and said, “Yes, this will do!”

Penn State Hoops To Host DePaul In Inaugural Gavitt Tipoff

James Franklin To Throw First Pitch At Yankee Stadium On April 28