The Penn State baseball team lost 16-5 to Illinois on March 28 at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The defeat evens the series at one game each, with the deciding game scheduled for Sunday morning.
The outcome leaves Penn State with an overall record of 8-17 and a conference record of 3-5 in Big Ten play. Illinois improves to 13-12 overall and holds a conference mark of 5-6.
Ben Hudson started on the mound for Penn State, pitching three innings and allowing six runs on five hits while recording four strikeouts. Frankie Sanchez, Ethan Bauerschmidt, Skip Shenosky, and Harrison Lollin also appeared in relief during the game. For Illinois, Regan Hall started and pitched five innings, giving up five runs (four earned) on eleven hits with eight strikeouts. Oliver Martel closed out the final two innings without allowing any runs.
Offensively for Penn State, Bryce Molinaro had two hits including a three-run home run—his thirty-first career homer—which moves him into sole possession of fifth place all-time at Penn State for home runs. Michael Anderson contributed three hits and scored once, while Maddox McDonald added two hits and an RBI.
Illinois was led by Collin Jennings, Kyle Schupmann, and Will Johannes who each drove in four runs. Jennings hit a grand slam as part of his day that included both a homerun and double; Schupmann also homered; Johannes recorded two doubles.
The teams will meet again Sunday morning at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park to decide the series winner.
