Eight runs in the first two innings proved to be enough as Penn State baseball defeated Bucknell 11-2 on a brisk Wednesday evening at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. It was the second meeting between Bucknell (18-17) and Penn State (12-20) in just more than a week. The Nittany Lions took the contest last Tuesday, 4-2, and earned a season sweep of their non-conference, in-state foe with a win Wednesday.

How It Happened

Shortstop Jim Haley began the first inning scoring spree for the Lions with an RBI single to right. Centerfielder Nick Riotto followed up Haley’s hit with an RBI single of his own to quickly go up 2-0. Tyler Kendall jumped on the hit train with a two-RBI double, scoring second baseman Taylor Skerpon and Riotto.

Penn State sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring five runs and sending Bucknell’s Austin Zimmerman to the dugout after two outs. Zimmerman allowed five runs on four hits and was only the beginning of Bucknell’s pitching woes.

RHP Max Kra came in for Zimmerman and gave up three unearned runs in the second inning. The Bison used seven pitchers in the game while Jordan Holtz spent the most time on the mound. The senior didn’t allow any runs and struck out two in two innings. RHP Tom Mullin was another story in his first start for Penn State. The sophomore went five innings and allowed only four hits. His only run allowed was unearned.

Takeaways

The Lions looked good in the box and on the mound early in the game. 13 runners were stranded on base, a high number, but understandable in a game that saw 12 hits and five runners reach base on balls.

What’s Next

Penn State will be on the road for the next four games and begin a three-game series at Minnesota Friday at 7 p.m. The Lions then travel to Ohio to take on Kent State (20-13). Penn State dropped the only meeting of the year with the Golden Eagles on April 1, 9-7.

Photo: Mark Selders/GoPSUSports