Penn State baseball (31-21, 15-15 Big Ten) won its game against Xavier (30-25, 14-7 Big East) by a score of 7-6 during the second game of a three-game series at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.

Despite Xavier trying its best to come back multiple times, the Nittany Lions were able to hold the team off to secure win number 31.

How It Happened

After a quick first inning for both teams, Xavier took advantage of pitcher Logan Olson’s command issues in the second. Connor Misch led off the inning with a walk, immediately followed by a walk to Clay Burdette. After a single by Isaac Wachsmann and an error by Penn State, the two runners scored, putting Xavier on top 2-0. Besides a stolen base from Wachsmann, Olson was able to get out of the inning without further damage.

The Nittany Lions were able to get runners on first and second in the bottom of the second inning, but they failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The Musketeers faced a similar fate in the top of the third inning when Carter Hendrickson was left on second after a single and a stolen base.

Penn State began to fight back in the bottom of the third, starting with a single from Joe Jaconski, who then advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Paxton Kling drew a walk, Jesse Jaconski doubled to score both runners and tie the game going into the fourth inning.

After an uneventful fourth inning, the Nittany Lions took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run home run from Kling. This was Kling’s 13th home run of the season and gave Penn State a 4-2 lead.

Paxton Kling!!! He crushes a two-run shot to left! His 13th of the year!

B5 | PSU 4, XAV 2#WeAre pic.twitter.com/ThHLHPJHrN

— Penn State Baseball (@PennStateBASE) May 16, 2025

Xavier began to chip away in the sixth inning, Misch doubled and scored on a single from Aedan Anderson to cut the lead down to one. Penn State added to their total in the seventh, starting with a walk from Mike Lucarelli and Kling getting hit by a pitch. Jesse Jaconski singled to score both runners, giving the Nittany Lions a three-run lead.

The Musketeers came back to tie the game in the eighth inning with four hits off reliever Mason Horwat. Misch led off the inning with a single, followed by a single from Burdette. Wachsmann then singled to socre Misch, and Anderson singled to score Burdette. Will Andrews came in to replace Horwat, and quickly got two outs. After a wild pitch, Anderson scored, but Andrews was able to get out of the inning with the game still tied.

While it looked like the game could have been headed to extra innings, Matt Maloney hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to put Penn State back in the lead. In the ninth, Andrews allowed two runners to reach base but struck out Wachsmann to end the game with a win.

Matt Maloney!!! He gives us the lead with his second homer of the year!

B8 | PSU 7, XAV 6#WeAre pic.twitter.com/oAyHWkSMS5

— Penn State Baseball (@PennStateBASE) May 17, 2025

Takeaways

• Clutch home runs powered Penn State past Xavier, with King and Maloney leading the game’s storylines. For the team to make it far in the postseason, they will need to continue this trend.
• While pitching mishaps defined the last few games for the Nittany Lions, they were able to prevail in this one. Despite the bullpen allowing Xavier to tie the game, the bats were able to ensure Penn State came away with a win.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions look to close the regular season with a win on senior day, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 17 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.