Happy Valley Hardball with a sabermetrics twist

Penn State stands two games out of a Big Ten Tournament berth with four games remaining.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Penn State baseball team fell victim to a dominant pitching performance by Minnesota’s TJ Oakes, mustering only four hits in a 5-1 loss on Saturday afternoon at the Metrodome. Senior Louie Picconi (North Merrick, N.Y.) drove in the Lions’ (21-27, 8-12 Big Ten) lone run via a fifth-inning single. Penn State looks to salvage the series finale on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. ET.

Oakes was the story from the get-go, retiring the first 16 Penn State hitters. Among those outs were a number of sensational plays by the Gopher (24-27, 12-8 Big Ten) defense. Junior Michael Glantz (Marietta, Ga.) was robbed of two hits by right fielder Michael Kvasnicka while shortstop AJ Pettersen also robbed junior Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.) with a play deep in the hole.

via Oakes Dazzles Nittany Lions in 5-1 Defeat to Minnesota – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.