Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Penn State
Four-Run Ninth for Penn State Beats Bucknell Baseball, 6-4
3/23/2004 7:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 23, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell baseball team kept Penn State (8-6) off the board for six straight innings at Depew Field on Tuesday afternoon, but the Nittany Lions broke through in the ninth to deny Bucknell (9-6) its second win over a Big Ten school in seven days.
Four Bison each had two of Bucknell's nine hits, as Ben Stoll, Pete Wolf, Brian Day, and Chris Mahony reached safely twice. Phil Bunting had one hit for the Bison.
Jacob Moss started for Bucknell, which ended up using six pitchers on the afternoon. Moss threw two innings, giving up two hits and two unearned runs in the second. With one out, designated hitter Aaron Greenfield reached on a fielding error by Bucknell third baseman Steve Stutzman. After second baseman Jim Leitgeb singled and took second on a balk, left fielder Matt Lewis had a two-RBI single, bringing home both runners.
But the Bison responded and topped Penn State in their half of the second. Chris Grandizio reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Day to half the visitors' lead. Bunting brought home Grandizio with a single to tie the game, and Bucknell's third run came when Sam Moss grounded out, scoring Stutzman from third.
Bucknell added another run in the third. Wolf and Day started the inning with singles, knocking Penn State starter Alan Stidfole from the game. Jared Hopewell (1-1) came in to pitch for the Nittany Lions, but couldn't get the visitors out of the inning unscathed. With Wolf on third after a Mahony walk, Grandizio grounded into a double play but brought home the run, putting Bucknell up 4-2. Hopewell threw six innings, scattering five hits but with no runs charged. Stidfole's two innings allowed Bucknell four hits and four runs, all earned.
Phil Futrick, Marc Cussatt, and Matt Curry each threw two innings after Moss, giving up just five hits between them and not allowing Penn State to score.
But Bucknell's hope of claiming its second win over a Big Ten team this season, after beating Indiana 4-2 while in Florida, ended when Ryan Gryskevicz (0-1) faced three batters in the ninth without recording an out. The freshman allowed one walk, one hit, and one hit batter, leaving the game after Penn State shortstop Michael Milliron scored outfielder Brett Showalter from third, bringing the Lions to within 4-3.
Nathan Mittag came in to relieve, but the freshman's zero-ERA went by the boards. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Clint Eury brought home two runners and gave Penn State a 5-4 lead, putting Gryskevicz on the hook for the loss. Penn State scored its final run when third baseman Arin Gelletly hit a sacrifice fly that scored catcher Matt Harter.
The Penn State game was Bucknell's last before opening the Patriot League season this Saturday at home against Navy. Both Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders will start at 12 p.m.
Penn State 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 -- 6 9 0 Bucknell 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 4 9 2J. Moss, Futrick (3), Cussatt (5), Curry (7), Gryskevicz (9), Mittag (9) and Bunting;
A. Stidfole, Hopewell (3), Tressler (9) and Harter.
WP - Hopewell (1-1). LP - Gryskevicz (0-1). S - Tressler (1).
RBI - P: Milliron, Eury 2, Gelletly, Lewis 2; B: Moss, Grandizio, Bunting. 2B - P: Eury.Team Records - Bucknell 9-6. Penn State 8-6.
