One at-bat was all Ryky Smith needed. The senior from York came in as a pinch runner and executed a perfect hit-and-run play in the bottom of the ninth to score Jim Haley from third and end the game in walk-off fashion, 8-7 in front of more than 1,000 fans at Medlar Field Wednesday night.

How It Happened

Penn State (14-26) blew a 7-5 lead in the top of the ninth when Pittsburgh (16-26) first baseman Eric Hess singled to right field and brought two runners home to tie the game. Pitt would leave a runner stranded after shortstop Ron Sherman struck out looking on an 0-2 count.

Sophomore Jim Haley hit a leadoff single to shortstop for the Lions to begin the last half frame. He then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by first baseman J.J. White, and made his way to third when centerfielder Ryan Richter singled to right on an 0-2 count. Ryky Smith stepped up to the batter’s box riding a hitless streak of 24 at bats when he delivered a textbook hit-and-run to score Haley and help Penn State walk off victorious.

All but one of Penn State’s 15 hits in the game were singles; the lone extra-base hit was a solo homer by designated hitter Greg Guers in the eighth inning to put the Lions up 7-5. RHP Tom Mullin tossed three full innings for the Lions, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out two.

Tweet Of The Game

Face of a winner. Ryky Smith with the walkoff to give @PennStateBASE an 8-7 win over Pitt. See it @WJACTV @CBS21NEWS pic.twitter.com/ehMBnes681

— Ashley Chase (@AshleyChaseTV) April 30, 2015

What’s Next

Penn State begins its final home series of the season on Friday night when the team hosts Rutgers at 6:30 p.m. Saturday’s game will be televised on Big Ten Network at 1:30 p.m.

Photo: Mark Selders/GoPSUSports