Happy Valley Hardball with a sabermetrics twist

Ryan Ignas pitched seven strong innings in only his third-career start.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Down to their last out in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Penn State baseball team racked off three consecutive hits to force extra innings before a Joey DeBernardis (Lake Zurich, Ill.) 12th-inning single gave the Lions a thrilling 5-4 season-opening victory over Cincinnati in the Big Ten/BIG EAST Challenge on Friday. Freshman Steve Snyder (West Chester, Pa.) tied the score at four behind a two-run triple while fellow freshman Steven Hill (Colleyville, Texas) picked up the win following 2.2 perfect innings out of the bullpen.

The rally began with back-to-back singles from junior Michael Glantz (Marietta, Ga.) and senior Louie Picconi (North Merrick, N.Y.). Snyder then hit the first pitch down the right field line and into the corner, clearing the bases to make it 4-4.

The story of extra innings was Hill, who came with 2.2 spotless frames to earn the victory in his first collegiate appearance. He entered in the 10th with the bases loaded and one out, but proceeded to strike out Logan Jackson on three pitches before inducing a Kevin Johnson groundout to end the threat. He followed with two consecutive 1-2-3 innings.

After a number of chances in extra frames, the offense made it count in the 12th. Sophomore Sean Deegan (Readington, N.J.) began with single, stole second and advanced to third on a Heath Johnson (Alamagordo, N.M.) groundout. He crossed the plate when DeBernardis' clutch two-out single dropped into left-center field.

via Nittany Lions Open Season With Thrilling 5-4 Comeback Win Over Cincinnati in 12 Innings – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.