Purdue tops Penn State to sweep series
Penn State baseball (5-18, 0-6) fell to Purdue (10-14, 3-3) today at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, 7-5.
The Nittany Lions took an early lead on the Boilermakers, scoring two runs in the second inning via a two-run single by junior catcher Alex Farkes. Farkes, who went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI on the afternoon.
Purdue was able to battle back with one run in the third and two runs in the fourth off of junior starting pitcher Greg Welsh. Welsh received the loss today, falling to 0-2 on the season, but pitched 8 innings with 9 hits, 7 runs (3 earned runs), 3 walks and 11 strikeouts on 142 pitches.
After the game, coach Robbie Wine applauded the efforts of his left hander.
"It was a great outing for him, get over the hump, it was great to see," said Wine. "It was a different Welsh than what we saw in Indiana. But he pitched like that at Temple. So then, we need that. We need that on Sundays. You know, he's got a great arm. If he competes like that, we'll be alright with him on the mound."
After Purdue extended their lead to 5-2 after the top half of the fifth, Penn State took to the plate and was able to tie the game behind a two RBI single by senior second baseman Luis Montesinos and a throwing error by Purdue's redshirt senior shortstop Jake Hansen that drove in sophomore designated hitter J.J. White.
In the top of the 8th inning, Purdue was able to take the lead for good, as a throwing error by Welsh allowed freshman right fielder Cody Strong and freshman center fielder Kyle Johnson to score the game-winning runs.
With the loss, Penn State extends their losing streak to ten games. According to Wine, there is a lot of, "doubt and hesitation right now," something he believes can be remedied with positive thinking.
"People dwell on being in a slump individually as a hitter or struggling defensively," said Wine. "That ground ball hit to you, a million things go through your mind instead of the positive, you know, 'I'm gonna get it and throw it.' Within an at-bat, the longer the at-bat goes, those negative thoughts get in there, you just have to flush them out."
The Nittany Lions travel to Kent, Ohio on Wednesday for their next game against Kent State. The team's next home game will be on Friday, April 5 against Wright State in the first game of a three game series. All home games can be heard on ComRadio.
Bill DiFilippo is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in English. To contact him, email bdifilippo1@gmail.com.
