After struggling on offense and dropping its Senior Day matchup, Penn State baseball (16-21) bounced back with a 8-6 over Rutgers (18-20) in the series finale to clinch a series victory.

While Rob Cooper’s squad started off slow today, an offensive eruption in the sixth inning, to the tune of eight runs, changed the narrative of the game and the series.

Monday’s win in the Nittany Lions’ last home game of the season gives the team an 8-8 record at home this season.

How It Happened

Left-hander Tyler Shingledecker got the start for the Nittany Lions, and the Scarlet Knights jumped on top of him early in the top of the first. Richie Schiekofer walked, Chris Brito moved him into scoring position with a single, and Mike Nyisztor knocked him home with a single of his own to make the score 1-0 Rutgers.

For the next two innings, both teams had no trouble putting the ball in play but to no avail until Kevin Welsh snuck a single into center. The next batter, Danny DiGregorio, ripped a triple to left-center to bring Welsh home, which ultimately ended Shingledecker’s day in the fourth inning. Ralph Gambino took the hill for the Nittany Lions, and two pitches into his outing, a passed ball allowed DiGregorio to score from third to make the score 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, Matt Wood walked to give the Nittany Lions their first baserunner of the game. Wood stole second, and Justin Williams smoked a ball to the warning track that was caught. Rutgers starter Kyle Muller had Penn State hitless though four innings.

The score stayed the same, and the Nittany Lions still remained without a hit until the bottom of the sixth inning where the offense found life.

Jay Harry got things started with a walk, Gavin Homer fought off a full count to register Penn State’s first hit of the afternoon with a single through second base, subsequently ending Rutgers’ combined no-hitter.

Jared Bellissimo’s day would end one batter later, as Matt Wood reached via catchers interference, leaving the bases juiced for Williams. After two pitches from Nate McLain, Rutgers’ lead would cease to exist as Williams sent a bomb to right-center for a grand slam.

J dub with a GRAND SLAM to put the Nittany Lions ahead 4-3! pic.twitter.com/lN7FKYAfq8

— Penn State Baseball (@PennStateBASE) May 17, 2021

The Nittany Lions were just getting started, as Curtis Robison sliced a single to the outfield bringing home Johnny Piacentino, who reached base on a walk and advanced to second on a Josh Spiegel single. Penn State continued to pour it on, with Cole Bartels tripling home two more runs to make it 7-3 Penn State.

Cole Bartels triples off the wall to score two and the Nittany Lions now lead 7-3! pic.twitter.com/eXnXZ1fyWP

— Penn State Baseball (@PennStateBASE) May 17, 2021

Penn State batted around in the inning, as Harry stepped into the batters box again and plated Bartels with a single up the middle.

Jay Harry caps the scoring and the eight-run inning for the Diamond Lions with this RBI single. pic.twitter.com/f7az8Tnp8a

— Penn State Baseball (@PennStateBASE) May 17, 2021

Penn State led 8-3 entering the seventh inning of action, and right-hander Steven Miller took the mound. Rutgers reduced its deficit in the top of the inning with a bit of a two-out rally. Brito and Evan Sleight recorded a pair of RBIs to make the score 8-5.

The Scarlet Knights threatened again in the top of the ninth, tacking another run once again off the bat of Sleight to put the score at 8-6. However, Mason Mellott would eventually slam the door shut on Rutgers’ rally for his fourth save of the season.

Takeaways

• Throughout a season full of ups and downs, Penn State has remained resilient, even in the most dire straits. The Nittany Lions showed heart and toughness today with an enormous eight-run sixth inning, as they had absolutely nothing going for them previously, not to mention coming off of a shutout loss yesterday. The sixth inning explosion yielded a full momentum swing and ultimately secured the Nittany Lions the victory on the day, as well as for the series.
• Justin Williams owns Rutgers, folks. The sophomore had a monstrous game and series against the Scarlet Knights. Today, he ignited the Nittany Lions’ offense with a grand slam, kickstarting the huge eight-run sixth. It was Williams’ second home run against Rutgers this series, something which he’s done twice in two series against the Scarlet Knights this year.
• Monday’s win brings Penn State’s home record to 8-8 on the season, securing Rob Cooper’s squad its first record of .500 or batter at home since 2016.

What’s Next?

Penn State travels to Champaign to take on Illinois for the first time this season next weekend. The first pitch of the showdown against the Fighting Illini is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 21.