Happy Valley Hardball with a sabermetrics twist

Penn State looks to get back to .500 on Friday against Texas State.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Penn State baseball team fell victim to strong two-out hitting as Texas A&M scored all seven of its runs with two outs on its way to a 7-0 win on Wednesday evening. Redshirt Senior Mike Wanamaker (Upper Nyack, N.Y.), who was on a pitch count in his first start since 2008, threw the first four innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits with four strikeouts. After allowing two first-inning runs, he bounced back with his strongest inning when he struck out the side in the second. The Nittany Lions (4-5) now look ahead to a weekend series at 2009 NCAA Regional participant Texas State.

via Two-Out Runs Lead Texas A&M Past Nittany Lions, 7-0 – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

Penn State falls to 4-4 on the young season.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Despite shutting out Big 12 power Texas A&M through three innings, the Aggies’ offense exploded in the fourth and wouldn’t look back as they went on to down the Penn State baseball team, 17-3 on Tuesday evening at Olsen Field. A pair of bunt singles sparked A&M’s (10-2) four-run fourth-inning rally to open the scoring.

The Nittany Lions (4-4) look to bounce back Wednesday evening at 7:35 p.m. ET as redshirt senior Mike Wanamaker gets the start for the first time since the 2008 season.

via Big Innings Too Much in Baseball’s 17-3 Defeat to Texas A&M – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

By Paul Casella

Collegian Staff Writer

Sophomore Joey DeBernardis crossed home plate in the ninth inning to stop Penn State from being shutout, but the run mattered little in terms of the final score.

Playing its first night game of the season Tuesday, the Penn State baseball team was routed by Texas A&M, 17-3.

The 17 runs were the most given up by Penn State (4-4) since April 25, 2008, when the Nittany Lions suffered a 20-11 loss to Illinois.

via Baseball team struggles, loses big to Aggies – The Daily Collegian Online.

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The Texas A&M baseball team puts its six-game win streak on the line when the Aggies host Penn State in a pair of midweek games at Olsen Field. First pitch on both Tuesday and Wednesday is set for 6:35 p.m.

via Aggie Baseball Hosts Penn State in Mid-Week Series.

In another surprise, PSU stands atop the Big Ten RPI Rankings.

For the first time in several years, Penn State’s RPI has actually taken a jump during the first two weeks. Traditionally, PSU’s southern trips result in a string of losses but thanks to some good performances in Texas against some quality opponents the Nit’s RPI ranking has jumped to #67.

The Nittany Lions fall to 4-3 on the season, 2-2 on their Texas road swing.

BEAUMONT, Texas – Despite sophomore Jordan Steranka's (Pittsburgh, Pa.) second home run in as many days, the Penn State baseball team couldn't overcome Lamar’s six-run fifth inning in falling to the Cardinals, 8-3 on Sunday at the YMBL Cardinal Classic. The Nittany Lions (4-3) finish the weekend 2-2 and now move onto College Station where they face Big 12 power Texas A&M on Tuesday and Wednesday.

via Baseball Drops Weekend Finale to Lamar, 8-3 – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

By Stephen Hennessey

Collegian Staff Writer

Lamar pitcher Matison Smith threw a complete game shutout against Penn State in its second game Saturday to give his team a 4-0 win over the Nittany Lions.

After the Lions beat Dallas Baptist 12-6 earlier in the day, Smith held the Nittany Lions (4-2) to four hits.

via Baseball team shutout in second game of the day – The Daily Collegian Online.

Penn State now stands at 4-2 on the young season.

BEAUMONT, Texas – The Penn State baseball team exploded for seven runs in the second inning and cruised to a 10-4 victory against Dallas Baptist before dropping a 4-0 final to Lamar in a split doubleheader on Saturday at the YMBL Cardinal Classic. Freshmen Neal Herring (West Chester, Pa.) and Steven Hill (Colleyville, Texas) dazzled on the mound, both allowing only one earned run in six innings of work. Penn State finishes its stay in Beaumont on Sunday with another matchup against Lamar.

“We’re playing great baseball, even in that second game,” said sophomore Jordan Steranka (Pittsburgh, Pa.) “Both pitchers were great. We’re rolling right now, so hopefully we can continue that into tomorrow against Lamar again.”

via Nittany Lions Top Dallas Baptist, Fall to Lamar in Doubleheader Split – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

By Stephen Hennessey

Collegian Staff Writer

Jordan Steranka and Mario Eramo belted home runs Saturday afternoon to power the Penn State baseball team over Dallas Baptist, 10-4.

The Nittany Lions (4-1) scored seven runs in the second inning to ensure freshman pitcher Neal Herring’s first win of the year. Herring surrendered an unearned run in the bottom of the first, but the freshman gave up only one other run in six solid innings. Through two collegiate starts, Herring owns a 2.25 ERA through 12 innings pitched.

via Seven-run second inning propels baseball team – The Daily Collegian Online.