Baseball Is Back In Happy Valley: Penn State Baseball 2023 Season Preview
The Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to continue their momentum into the 2023 season after making their first Big Ten Conference Tournament since 2012. Manager Rob Cooper and the team begin a competitive spring schedule with a road series at No. 22 Miami. The Nittany Lions will take on the Hurricanes for a three-game set beginning on Feb. 17.
Before we dive into the 2023 season, let’s break down some numbers from the 2022 campaign.
The Nittany Lions were led by fourth-round pick in the MLB Draft catcher Matt Wood. Wood led the team in numerous offensive stat categories last season and will be a tough loss for the Penn State lineup.
Wood was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and helped lead the Nittany Lions to a 26-29 record (11-13 Big Ten) and finished as a No. 6 seed in the conference tournament.
Taking over for Wood, catcher Tommy Bramley has large shoes to fill. The graduate student from Mount St. Mary’s will likely take over the starting job behind the plate. The Elizabeth, Pennsylvania native returns home and is seeking to have a strong season. Bramley currently ranks as the No. 19 catcher in the country, per D1BaseballBuzz.
First baseman Josh Spiegel returns to State College for his redshirt junior season after being named to the All-Big second team in 2022. Spiegel finished with a .300 batting average and will aim to finish even better this season.
Shortstop Jay Harry and utility man Billy Gerlott are both looking to stay hot in the 2023 season. Harry, a junior, finished second on the team in batting average with .333 last season and will be at the top of the Nittany Lions lineup. As for Gerlott, the Auburn, Pennsylvania native will have an increased role in the depth chart this season.
On the mound, the Nittany Lions are led by 6-foot-6 right hander, Travis Luensmann. Luensmann has recently been named the Opening Day starter for the Nittany Lions.
The South Carolina transfer made 12 starts for the Nittany Lions last season and will be a force at the front of the rotation. Starting pitchers Tommy Molsky and Jaden Henline are also looking to lead the Nittany Lions at the forefront of games.
Molsky made his impact as a freshman last season while starting 12 games and striking out 47. Henline collected All-Big Ten Honors in 2022 and a team-high three saves.
Other notable names on the pitching staff include Jordan Morales, West Virginia-transfer Daniel Ouderkirk and Steven Miller.
Key Schedule Matchups:
Looking ahead, the Nittany Lions are tabbed with a very competitive schedule. Following their opening weekend matchup at No. 22 Miami, the favorites to win the ACC Coastal, Penn State will travel to North Carolina and battle the Tar Heels on March 8.
North Carolina is led by projected first overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, and Golden Spikes Award contender Vance Honeycutt.
Baseball returns to State College on March 15 as Penn State hosts Navy for the home opener. Jumping forward to March 24, the blue and white open Big Ten play at Michigan.
Baseball is back in Happy Valley.
Jasper Abrahams is a first-year studying Public Relations. To contact him, please email jpa5778@psu.edu.
