Nittany Lions Battle Wolverines in Big Ten Semifinal Rematch (Enhanced Series Preview)
- bryanportney01
- Mar 27
- 4 min read
Penn State (16-8, 5-4 Big Ten) at Michigan (13-11, 5-4 Big Ten)
Dates: March 28-30
Times (EST): 4:00 PM (Fri), 2:00 PM (Sat), 1:00 PM (Sun)
Location: Ray Fisher Stadium (Ann Arbor, MI)
Average Home Attendance (2025): 753.83
Highest Home Attendance (2025): 1172 (March 14, vs. USC)
Capacity: 4,000
Coverage
TV: BTN ($ [free on-campus])
Radio: LionVision & Bigfoot Country Legends (both PSU)
Live Stats/Pregame Lineups: StatBroadcast (PSU)
Storylines
Story of the Series: A Rematch for the Ages
This weekend, the Michigan Wolverines host the Penn State Nittany Lions for a three-game set with revenge on their minds. Michigan went 0-2 against Penn State and was eliminated in the Big Ten semifinal against the Nittany Lions with a 7-6 Penn State win in 10 innings.
Renner, Loosli Status in Question
Right-handed bullpen pitcher Chase Renner has not played since March 11 in a 14-10 loss to Georgetown. Right-hander Dimond Loosli also has not seen the mound since March 15 in a 10-7 win over Northwestern. (Source: Penn State - Official Athletics Website)
Voit Tabbed as D1Baseball’s No. 3 Second Baseman
Wolverines’ second baseman Mitch Voit has been named the third-ranked second baseman in D1Baseball’s Week 6 Top 50 Second Basemen. Voit has been having a stellar season so far in Ann Arbor, boasting a .416 batting average that is fourth in the Big Ten. (Source: D1Baseball on X)
Penn State at Michigan: By The Numbers
Penn State | Offense | Michigan |
.287 | Batting Average | .278 |
.396 | On-Base Pct | .380 |
41 (1.71) | Home Runs (per game) | 28 (1.17) |
59-67-44 | Run Splits (F-S-S) | 41-40-45 |
Penn State | Defense | Michigan |
6.06 | Earned Run Avg | 5.37 |
.272 | Opponent Batting Avg | .250 |
203 (8.46) | Strikeouts (per game) | 168 (7.00) |
120 (5.00) | Walks (per game) | 122 (5.08) |
Michigan Holds Small Head-to-Head Lead (Source: 2025 Penn State Baseball Record Book)
Penn State is 52-56 against Michigan all-time. Penn State last played Michigan on May 25, 2024, beating the Wolverines 7-6 in 10 innings at the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State is 25-27 against Michigan on the road all-time. Michigan has won the last seven series dating back to April 12-14, 2013. Penn State last won a series over Michigan from April 13-15, 2012, taking two of three against the Wolverines at home.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Penn State (Starters)
LHP Ryan DeSanto, Jr. (4-1, 3.16 ERA)
Conference Splits (3 games/starts): 2-1, 3.46 ERA
Away Splits (3 games/starts) : 2-0, 2.63 ERA
Career vs. Michigan: No Stats
RHP Mason Horwat, So. (4-1, 4.76 ERA)
Conference Splits (2 games/starts): 1-1, 10.80 ERA
Away Splits (2 games/starts): 2-0, 3.27 ERA
Career vs. Michigan (3 games [0 starts]): 0-0, 14.73 ERA
LHP Logan Olson, Jr. (0-1, 6.75 ERA)
Conference Splits (1 game/start): 0-1, 10.80 ERA
Away Splits: No Stats
Career vs. Michigan: No Stats
Penn State (In the Bullpen)
LHP Anthony Steele, Sr. (11 app, 16 IP, 2.81 ERA, 1.44 WHIP)
Conference Splits (3 games): 3 app, 8 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Away Splits (4 games): 4 app, 6.2 IP, 1.35 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
Career vs. Michigan (4 games): 4 app, 3.1 IP, 16.20 ERA, 3.30 WHIP
RHP Ben DeMell, R-Jr. (10 app, 18.2 IP, 4.82 ERA, 1.32 WHIP)
Conference Splits (3 games): 3 app, 8.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
Away Splits (4 games): 4 app, 7.2 IP, 1.17 ERA, 0.65 WHIP
Career vs. Michigan (3 games): 3 app, 2.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP
RHP Matthew VanOstenbridge, Fr. (9 app, 17.1 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.52 WHIP)
Conference Splits (4 games): 4 app (1 start), 8.1 IP, 4.32 ERA, 1.80 WHIP
Away Splits (3 games): 3 app (1 start), 6 IP, 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP
Career vs. Michigan: No Stats
Michigan (Starters)
TBD
TBD
TBD
Michigan (In the Bullpen)
RHP Max Debiec, Jr. (8 app, 14 IP, 2.57 ERA, 1.21 WHIP)
Conference Splits (3 games): 3 app, 4.2 IP, 7.71 ERA, 2.57 WHIP
Home Splits (1 game): 1 app, 0.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 6.00 WHIP
Career vs. PSU: No Stats
LHP Cade Connolly, Gr. (9 app, 12.2 IP, 3.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP)
Conference Splits (4 games): 4 app, 4 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.75 WHIP
Home Splits (3 games): 3 app, 7 IP, 5.14 ERA, 1.43 WHIP
Career vs. PSU: No Stats
RHP Will Rogers, Sr. (10 app, 3.91 ERA, 5 sv)
Conference Splits (4 games): 4 app, 9 IP, 5.00 ERA, 2 sv
Home Splits (4 games): 4 app, 5 IP, 3.60 WHIP, 1 sv
Career vs. PSU (1 game): 1 app, 3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1 sv
Top Hitters/Runners
Penn State (9.83|9.57|8.80 Runs per Game)
CF Paxton Kling, Jr. (.362|.433|.724, 10 hr, 30 rbi)
Conference Splits: .415|.455|.732, 3 hr, 11 rbi
Away Splits (11 games): .440|.517|.960, 7 hr, 9 rbi
Career vs. Michigan: No Stats
LF Jesse Jaconski, Jr. (.278|.420|.354, 7 hr, 25 rbi)
Conference Splits (9 games): .367|.444|.800, 3 hr, 14 rbi
Away Splits (10 games): .395|.489|.868, 5 hr, 14 rbi
Career vs. Michigan: No Stats
SS Ryan Weingartner, Jr. (.268|.418|.474, 4 hr, 14 rbi, 19 sb)
Conference Splits (9 games): .171|.341|.229, 0 hr, 2 rbi, 6 sb
Away Splits (11 games): .313|.459|.646, 3 hr, 10 rbi, 11 sb
Career vs. Michigan: No Stats
Michigan (6.83|5.71|9.00 Runs per Game)
2B Mitch Voit, Jr. (.416|.531|.764, 6 hr, 30 rbi, 9 sb)
Conference Splits (9 games): .394|.556|.697, 1 hr, 8 rbi, 3 sb
Home Splits (6 games): .500|.615|.950, 1 hr, 9 rbi, 1 sb
Career vs. PSU (8 games): .324|.410|.588, 2 hr, 5 rbi, 1 sb
SS Benny Casillas, Gr. (.392|.500|.532, 0 hr, 13 rbi)
Conference Splits (9 games): .378|.455|.568, 0 hr, 10 rbi
Home Splits (6 games): .333|.478|.556, 0 hr, 0 rbi
Career vs. PSU: No Stats
Cole Caruso, Sr. (.280|.320|.548, 6 hr, 23 rbi)
Conference Splits: .243|.293|.568, 4 hr, 10 rbi
Home Splits (6 games): .217|.280|.478, 1 hr, 5 rbi
Career vs. PSU (5 games): .050|.174|.100, 0 hr, 2 rbi
Game Promotions (Ray Fisher Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI)
Friday: N/A
Saturday: Student Org Day
Sunday: Wolverine Kids Club Day
Quick Picks: Expert Analysis
Bryan: Penn State has been slumping as of late, and they’re meeting their match against a tough Michigan team out for revenge. The Wolverines will take two of three over the Nittany Lions in a well-fought battle. Michigan 2, Penn State 1.
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