Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Penn St
Bucknell Baseball Drops 19-6 Decision in Single Game Versus Penn State
4/22/2003 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 22, 2003
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Bucknell and Penn State squared off this afternoon for the 138th time in a non-conference series that dates back to 1886, and although the Bison jumped out to a 3-0 lead it was not enough to thwart the 20-hit attack by the Nittany Lions in a 19-6 Penn State victory. The setback drops Bucknell's overall record to 20-12, while PSU improved to 14-19 on the year.
Bucknell started a first-inning rally when Brian Day singled to center field with two outs. Pete Wolf then belted a homerun over the left field wall to give the Bison a 2-0 lead. The Orange and Blue were able to hold the Nittany Lions in the bottom of the first, before scoring again in the second. Dave Garrisi singled to left center to drive Kyle Walter home to make it 3-0.
In the bottom of the second, Herd starter Cory Nadler loaded the bases and then walked two Penn State runners in. With bases still loaded, Mike DeRenzo smashed a grand slam to left field. The Nittany Lions took a 6-3 lead.
Both teams were held scoreless until the Bison fought to try to take the lead in the fourth frame. Steve Stutzman singled to deep left center, sending Chris Grandizio over the plate. Penn State scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a home run hit by Wes Reohr and took an 8-4 lead.
In the top of the fifth, the Herd tried once again to grab the lead after head coach Gene Depew went to his bench. Brad Duvall and Greg Ekimoff both singled, and Wolf's double drove them home, narrowing the gap to 8-6.
The Bison took a beating in the sixth inning when the Nittany Lions grabbed seven runs. A number of wild pitches from Marc Cussatt allowed Penn State to move around the bases and score two runs. Jacob Moss replaced Cussatt to secure the third out.
Penn State grabbed three runs in the seventh, including its third home run of the day, this one by Aaron Greenfield. In the eighth, Eric Steinbach replaced Jacob Moss on the mound but threw only one pitch before leaving with an injury. B.J. Batterson came in from third base to finish up on the mound, allowing a single run in the eighth. Phil Futrick, Bucknell's standout closer, made his debut at first base when Batterson went to the mound and Ekimoff moved from first to third.
Nadler pitched four innings for the Bison giving up eight runs on eight hits. Cussatt was responsible for seven runs, two earned, on five hits in 1.2 innings. Moss pitched 1.1 innings and gave up three runs on five hits. Batterson pitched one full inning giving up two hits and one run.
Bucknell will next host Towson in a single game tomorrow. The game time is set for 3:30 p.m at Bucknell Field. The Bison will then prepare to host the last four-game Patriot League regular season series against Lafayette on April 26-27. The doubleheaders will begin at noon this weekend.
