top of page
Search

Nittany Lions Return Home to Face Wildcats Following Road Setback (Series Preview)

Updated: Apr 5, 2024

# 13 Northwestern (10-15, 0-3 Big Ten) at # 11 Penn State (11-7, 0-0 Big Ten)

# indicates Big Ten rank (see BP Baseball's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 8)

Dates: April 5-7

Times: 4:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 12:00 PM

Coverage


Storylines

Wildcats Hire Ben Greenspan

Following a disappointing 10-40 season, Northwestern headed in a different direction, with new head coach Ben Greenspan. In just 25 games, the Wildcats have as many wins as they did a year ago.


Marr Tops Big Ten Hitting Column

Graduate designated hitter and catcher JT Marr was recognized by Penn State Baseball's social media accounts for becoming the new Big Ten leader in batting average. Marr played collegiately at Florence-Darlington Tech CC and College of Charleston, having not reached such sustained success with them as he has with the Nittany Lions.


Numbers Tell The Story

Northwestern

Offense

Penn State

.255

Batting Average

.298

.361

On-Base Pct

.405

17

Home Runs

27

41-31-42

Run Splits (F-S-S)

41-54-48


Northwestern

Defense

Penn State

6.50

Earned Run Avg

6.85

.287

Opponent Batting Avg

.277

151

Strikeouts

175

107 

Walks

132


Nittany Lions Hold Slight Lead (Source: Baseball History Penn State Athletics)

Penn State is 25-16 against Northwestern all-time. Penn State last played Northwestern from April 9-10, 2022, losing a series on the road (Northwestern outscored Penn State, 11-10). Penn State's last win over Northwestern was on April 9, 2022 (3-2 on the road). Penn State last won a home series over Northwestern from March 28-29, 2014 (2-game sweep, Penn State outscored Northwestern, 17-9).


Probable Starting Pitchers

Northwestern (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.48] {22 HBP}

  1. # 19 LHP Nolan Morr, Sr. (1-3, 6.00 ERA)

  2. # 37 RHP Kyle Potthoff, Gr. (2-1, 4.41 ERA)

  3. # 15 RHP Luke Benneche, Sr. (1-1, 4.68 ERA)

Northwestern (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 6.01]

  • # 44 RHP Jack Dyke, Gr. (8 app, 16.2 IP, 3.79 ERA, 1 sv)

  • # 18 RHP Matt McClure, Sr. (6 app, 17.2 IP, 2.04 ERA, 1.08 WHIP)

  • Closer: # 30 RHP Garrett Shearer, Fr. (8 app, 5.87 ERA, 2 sv)

Penn State (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.68]

  1. # 33 RHP Travis Luensmann, Sr. (2-1, 5.06 ERA)

  2. # 24 RHP Jaden Henline, Sr. (2-0, 8.49 ERA)

  3. # 20 RHP Frankie Sanchez, Jr. (1-0, 0.90 ERA) [as a starter]

Penn State (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 5.65]

  • # 27 RHP Mason Horwat, Fr. (9 app [7 relief], 20.1 IP, 6.20 ERA, 1.43 WHIP)

  • # 9 RHP Connor Throneberry, R-So. (9 app, 9.2 IP, 3.72 ERA, 1.97 WHIP)

  • Closer: # 15 RHP David Lee, Sr. (12 app, 3.68 ERA, 3-4 sv/opp)


Top Hitters/Runners

Northwestern (5.86|4.43|6.00 Runs per Game)

  1. # 8 2B Owen McElfatrick, So. (.563 slugging pct, .359 avg, 4 hr, 19 rbi)

  2. # 12 RF Jackson Freeman, Fr. (.302 avg, 4 hr, 19 rbi)

  3. # 9 C/DH Bennett Markinson, Jr. (.350 avg, 2 hr, 20 rbi)

Penn State (5.86|7.71|6.86 Runs per Game)

  1. # 40 DH/C J.T. Marr, Gr. (.437 avg, 3 hr, 26 rbi)

  2. # 0 RF Adam Cecere, Gr. (.659 slugging pct, 7 hr, 20 rbi)

  3. # 18 C Matt Maloney, Jr. (.313 avg, 1 hr, 25 rbi)


Game Promotions

Friday: Military Appreciation Night

Saturday: SpikesFest, Postgame Autographs, Trading Card Giveaway

Sunday: Postgame Kids Run The Bases


Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: Penn State often bounces back at home after falling behind the 8 ball. Northwestern is a perfect match, and I think the Nittany Lions will sweep them. Penn State 3, Northwestern 0.

Recent Posts

See All

Comments

bottom of page