Penn State baseball (15-4, 4-2 Big Ten) defeated St. Bonaventure (7-11, 0-3 Atlantic 10) 10-5 on Tuesday night in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Penn State was in control most of the night and held off a St. Bonaventure comeback bid in the final three innings.

How It Happened

Penn State started this game with pitcher Logan Olson, who didn’t allow a run in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first inning, Mercado, King, and Molinaro all scored on Bonnies pitcher Jaxson Ross as the Nittany Lions went up 3-0.

In the top of the third, Cole Wagner hit a double for the Nittany Lions. However, the next three batters were retired in order.

In the top of the fifth, both Jayce Tharnish and Conner Vercollone scored for the Bonnies, making the score 3-2 off of Nittany Lions pitcher Chase Renner. Penn State made the pitcher change to Sean Williams, which allowed for a bases-loaded strikeout.

In the bottom of the fifth, Bryce Molinaro hit an impressive triple off the wall. Molinaro ran home from third, making the score 4-2 for the Nittany Lions after Wagner was hit by a pitch. Joe Jaconski moved to second and Jack Porter moved to third. Bases were loaded for the Nittany Lions as Nate Voss walked to first. Porter ran home on the hit, making the score 5-2 Nittany Lions as the inning closes.

In the top of the sixth, Morgan Little hit a far home run to the right end of the field for the Bonnies off Williams’ pitch.

In the bottom of the sixth, Paxton Kling hit a double to center field allowing Ryan Weingartner to advance to third for the Nittany Lions. Molinaro hit to the right side, allowing Kling and Weingartner to make the score 7-3 for the Nittany Lions.

In the top of the seventh, Tharnish scored for the Bonnies, making the score 7-4. In the bottom of the eighth, Wagner, Kling, and Joe Jaconski scored as Joey DeMucci moved to second.

In the top of the ninth, the Nittany Lions put in pitcher Anthony Steele to close. Steele struck out Ryan Kucy before letting Tucker Genovesi score for the Bonnies to make it 10-5, though that was all the Bonnies managed to get in the loss.

Takeaways

• The Nittany Lions have consistently scored singles creating movement on the bases. This consistency has allowed Molinaro, Kling, and Mercado to show their strength and power in this game.
• Molinaro has had a great game with two hits, two runs, and two RBI over three at bats. He continues to be one of Penn State’s best and most consistent hitters.
• Kling continues to make big plays happen for the Nittany Lions. He is on his way of being one of the greats for Penn State baseball.

What’s Next?

Penn State will return to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park when its takes on Lafayette at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19.