Nittany Lions Meet Spartans for Rivalry Weekend (Series Preview)

# 10 Penn State (18-15, 5-7 Big Ten) at # 12 Michigan State (15-19, 3-6 Big Ten)

# denotes Big Ten Rank.

Dates: April 19-21

Times: 8:00 PM, 3:35 PM, 1:05 PM

Coverage

• TV

• Friday: Big Ten Network

• Saturday & Sunday: BTN+ ($)

• Radio: LionVision (PSU) & Michigan State All-Access (MSU)

• Live Stats/Pregame Lineups: StatBroadcast (PSU) & StatBroadcast (MSU)

Storylines

Setting [Attendance] Records Every Week

Last Tuesday, Penn State shattered their previous attendance record with 4,902 fans. This past Tuesday, the Nittany Lions did it again with 5,025 fans, the most Medlar Field at Lubrano Park has seen in years, however they fell to Kent State, 10-3 that night.

Frank Contributes to Power Bats

The Spartans have only had 26 home runs this season, but 2 of them came off the bat of OF Frank Jack during a 12-2 win over Western Michigan in 7 innings on Tuesday. Frank has had 5 home runs this season, leading the team, and also leads the team in stolen bases with 19.

Numbers Tell The Story

Penn State	Offense	Michigan State
.309	Batting Average	.291
.407	On-Base Pct	.380
47	Home Runs	26
68-81-81	Run Splits (F-S-S)	64-38-40

Penn State	Defense	Michigan State
6.71	Earned Run Avg	5.87
.275	Opponent Batting Avg	.284
230	Strikeouts	288
169	Walks	146

Spartans Hold Slight Advantage (Source: Baseball History Penn State Athletics)

Penn State is 24-28 against Michigan State since 2004, however they've won 7 straight in the series. Penn State last played Michigan State from May 8-9, 2022, sweeping the Spartans at home (PSU outscored MSU, 35-16).

Probable Starting Pitchers

Penn State (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.13]

1. RHP Travis Luensmann, Sr. (4-1, 4.78 ERA)

2. RHP Jaden Henline, Sr. (3-0, 8.63 ERA)

3. RHP Frankie Sanchez, Jr. (2-1, 5.40 ERA)

Penn State (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 7.76]

• RHP David Lee, Sr. (16 app, 20.1 IP, 4.87 ERA, 3 sv)

• RHP Connor Throneberry, Jr. (11 app, 11.2 IP, 3.09 ERA, 1.89 WHIP)

• LHP Anthony Steele, Jr. (15 app, 22 IP, 6.55 ERA, 1.41 WHIP)

Michigan State (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 4.44]

1. LHP Joseph Dzierwa, So. (3-2, 3.99 ERA)

2. LHP Nick Powers, Sr. (5-3, 4.15 ERA)

3. RHP Nick Ferazzi, Gr. (0-3, 6.75 ERA)

Indiana (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 7.75]

• RHP Logan Pikur, Fr. (14 app, 16 IP, 6.19 ERA, 2.06 WHIP)

• RHP Tommy Szczepanski, So. (13 app, 15.1 IP, 6.46 ERA, 4 sv)

• RHP Noah Matheny, R-Jr. (7 app, 23 IP, 3.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP)

Top Hitters/Runners

Penn State (7.56|9.00|9.00 Runs per Game)

1. DH/C J.T. Marr, Gr. (.416 avg, 6 hr, 36 rbi)

2. Batted 3rd in each of his last 16 starts.

3. RF Adam Cecere, Gr. (.728 slugging pct, 12 hr, 35 rbi)

4. Batted 4th in each of his last 12 starts.

5. SS Grant Norris, Gr. (.272 avg, 9 hr, 30 rbi)

6. Batted 5th, 6th, or 7th in each of his last 26 starts.

Michigan State (7.11|4.22|4.44 Runs per Game)

1. CF Landon Lozier, Fr. (.341 avg, .449 obp, 9 rbi)

2. Batted 1st in 16 of his 20 starts.

3. RF Jack Frank, Sr. (.529 slugging pct, 5 hr, 26 rbi, 16-19 sb/att)

4. Batted 1st or 3rd in 33 of his 34 starts.

5. LF/1B Nick Williams, Jr. (.315 slugging pct, 3 hr, 24 rbi)

6. Batted 4th or 6th in all of his starts.

Game Promotions (McLane Stadium at Kobs Field, East Lansing, MI) [Heroes Weekend]

Friday: Student Section Night

Saturday: Four Seats Four Treats

Sunday: Junior Spartans Picnic, Family Fun Day, Family Four Pack

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: Michigan State has had their ups and downs this season, however both teams have been struggling as of late. Regardless, I think the Nittany Lions will take the series. Penn State 2, Michigan State 1.