Penn State baseball (15-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) was quieted by Michigan State (15-6 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) in a 4-0 loss on Friday evening in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

In the first of a three-game series, the Spartans gradually expanded their lead throughout the night. The Nittany Lions, meanwhile, never had a runner on third base in their second consecutive loss.

How It Happened

After striking out Michigan State’s leadoff man JT Sokolove, Penn State’s starting pitcher Ryan DeSanto allowed a double and plunked Caleb Berry to put runners on first and second bases. However, the Nittany Lions secured two outs via a strikeout and pop-fly to escape the top of the first inning unscathed.

DeSanto continued to struggle with his command, as he walked the first two batters in the second inning. But like the previous frame, he rallied by striking out three in a row to escape another jam.

Bryce Molinaro was walked, and Cole Mercado singled to put two runners on base. A wild pitch put both of them in scoring position with two outs, but Nate Voss struck out to end the second inning.

DeSanto loaded the bases. A popup to shallow right field wasn’t caught, and one runner scored to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. A sacrifice fly made it 2-0 before the inning ended.

Ben DeMell replaced DeSanto in the fifth inning. He allowed a leadoff double against Ryan McKay, but a groundout and a double-steal stopped McKay from doing more damage.

Although DeMell kept the Spartans at bay in the sixth inning, they grabbed another run in the seventh. McKay singled and stole second base, then Berry drove him home with a double to take a 3-0 lead.

Michigan State remained on the offensive in the eighth inning. With two runners aboard, McKay hit a single to drive in a fourth run.

Penn State escaped a bases-loaded jam without a run scored in the top of the ninth inning, with Bryce Molinaro stepping on third before completing the play with a throw to Cole Wagner at first base. The Nittany Lions put two runners on base in the bottom of the inning, but the Spartans secured the three outs and thus, a victory.

Takeaways

• DeSanto was hit-and-miss in his start. While he had five strikeouts, he labored through his four innings at times. His command was questionable as he hit three batters, which helped lead to two earned runs.
• While it wasn’t a slugfest for the Spartans, the Nittany Lions’ bats needed to be better. Penn State had eight runners left on base, just three hits, and never found third base.
• Head coach Mike Gambino was adamant that sloppy play was among the factors for his team’s loss, against Lafayette on Wednesday, but the same play was on display tonight. Penn State had an error, as well as difficulties executing throws, fielding ground balls, and, in one instance missing a routine popup in right field.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions play the Spartans again at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.