Penn State’s first game back in the States was cancelled due to inclement weather. The two-game series vs. St. John’s was shortened to one game, where the blue and white won 12-2 over seven innings.
The Nittany Lions are now set to face off against Texas Tech. The three-game series is taking place in Lubbock, Texas. The first matchup is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with the second at 3 p.m. Saturday and the third game at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Penn State is coming off its first win since Feb. 20, beating Indiana State in the Bahamas. That win brought the Lions to a .333 win percentage and third in the Big Ten.
Texas Tech has started its season well with a record of 7-4. The Red Raiders rank seventh in the Big 12, with their last game against CSU Bakersfield where they lost 15-8 on Sunday. The last time these two teams faced off was way back in 1995, where Penn State won in an absolute shootout 24-23.
It’ll be a return to Lubbock for Nittany Lion right handed pitcher Greg Minnick. Minnick initially committed to Texas Tech from Indiana, Pennsylvania but transferred to Penn State last December. He didn’t get a chance to play before transferring and he’s yet to pitch for the Nittany Lions.
Another Penn State player to highlight is Jayden Davis, who leads the Nittany Lions with seven runs and 12 hits. Davis also leads the team in RBIs. Michael Anderson is another hitter that’s stood out in the lineup. He’s earned the nickname “The Magnet” due to how many pitches he’s been hit by. Anderson has posted three home runs, six runs, four RBIs, while getting plunked by six pitches already this season.
On the other side of the field, Linkin Garcia is a Red Raider to focus on. Garcia leads his team in batting average, runs batted in, homeruns, total bases and hits. On the other side of the ball, right handed pitcher Lukas Pirko will likely get one of the starts on the mound. Pirko leads his team in opposing batting average and wins in three starts this season.
Both teams haven’t started conference play yet, each team will start on Friday, March 13. Penn State will face Iowa and Texas Tech will play Kansas.
The Nittany Lions will have their hands full with the Red Raiders, as they’re ahead of the blue and white in every meaningful offensive category. However, Penn State beats Texas Tech on defense, with the same amount of hits allowed but 11 fewer runs conceded.
The three-game series begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Dan Law Field.
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