After a Big Ten series loss to USC, Penn State continues its homestead with another four-game week at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
With a nonconference matchup from just across state lines and yet another crucial Big Ten series, the Nittany Lions are gearing up for another big baseball week in State College.
Center fielder and LSU transfer, Paxton Kling, has been pioneering Penn State’s offense this season. The junior’s .336 batting average and 48 hits lead the team, and his 0.671 slugging percentage is good for No. 10 in the Big Ten.
Kling was a highly anticipated transfer this spring with a stacked resume, including a national championship ring in 2023 and earning the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022, and his play so far this year has been backing up the accolades.
On the mound, junior Ryan DeSanto continues to be a solid addition to the Nittany Lions this spring. After transferring from Saint Joseph's, he boasts a 3.25 ERA in nine starts for the blue and white, and has been a critical piece of its success this season.
Sitting firmly in the middle of the conference at No. 8, Penn State will need production from its key players and a strong showing this weekend if it wants a chance at a postseason berth.
Delaware
The blue and white’s first test of the week is set for another Dollar Dog Night in Happy Valley, as it plays host to out-of-conference Delaware at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Blue Hens haven’t had the best start to their season, holding an 18-16 overall record and ranking sixth in the Coastal Athletic Association, going 6-6 in conference play.
Delaware’s offensive production is spearheaded by senior outfielder Aaron Graeber. With a team-leading 147 at-bats, Graeber has recorded a .340 batting average, with nine home runs and 31 RBI. The West Deptford, New Jersey, native also holds a team-high 50 hits and 10 stolen bases.
In terms of pitching, senior Carter Welch shines on the mound for the Blue Hens. In 11 appearances, Welch has garnered a 2.83 ERA and 24 strikeouts.
Purdue
Penn State is slated for another Big Ten matchup this weekend, hosting Purdue at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park at 5:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Boilermakers also haven’t had an ideal start to the season, sitting at No. 15 in the Big Ten and holding a 5-10 conference record.
Redshirt senior infielder Lukas Cook dominates the stat sheets not just for Purdue but the Big Ten as well. Cook’s 0.430 batting average in 114 at-bats leads the conference, and his 49 hits rank him just one spot above Kling.
The Boilermakers also have an ace in graduate student Michael Vallone. Through 14 games on the mound, Vallone earned a 2.61 ERA and 45 strikeouts, pitching 38 innings.
Vallone is a new addition to Purdue’s squad, hailing from DePauw University, a Division III school in Greencastle, Indiana, where he was a four-year letterwinner.
Despite its less-than-impressive conference standing, Purdue still boasts a solid team, and the Nittany Lions will be up for a Big Ten challenge this weekend.
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