Five-run third extends Penn State baseball’s home winning streak

Story posted April 9, 2014 in CommRadio by Michael Gilbert

Penn State (16-14) continued their best home start in program history and defeated Wester Virginia 8-4, due to the help of a five-run third inning.

After not appearing in a game since March 11, starter Geoff Boylston made his first career start going 5 2/3 innings on the mound, for the longest outing of his career. His previous high was against Albany on March 27, 2011, where he went 3 1/3 innings.

“The only thing I was thinking about was strike one…Next thing I know I’m in the sixth inning,” said an excited Boylston after the game.

The left-hander got off to a shaky start, allowing a sacrifice fly in the first, to plate the Mountaineers first run of the game, but got out of the inning with minimal damage.

The second inning for Boylston was his most troublesome on the night. Sean Carley led things off for the Mountaineers with a bunt base hit and set the table for the visitors. 

Michael Constantini followed things up with a strongly executed hit-and-run play, causing Penn State second baseman Taylor Skerpon to be out of position to make the play.
Catcher Ray Guerrini broke things open with a two-run single.

The Nittany Lions countered West Virginia’s two-run second with an offensive barrage of their own.

“We’re good at giving up runs early,” joked head coach Rob Cooper. 

With lefty Zach Bargeron coming on in relief of starter Trevor Simms, Skerpon got things started for Penn State with a two-run double to the deepest part of the ballpark, scoring Jim Haley and Greg Guers. 

Skerpon scored on an Alex Farkes single down the line, adding another run for the Lions.  Penn State went on to score two more in the inning, thanks to a Steve Snyder triple in the right-centerfield gap.

“I was swinging at a couple bad pitches this weekend, and I just tried to work on that the past few days and it worked out,” said Snyder.

Boylston exited in the bottom half of the sixth inning, and was replaced by the reliable freshman Dakota Forsyth, who gave up one earned, in 2 2/3 innings.

“He did a great job, and stayed with his game plan and didn’t try to do anything else,” Cooper added about Boylston.

Jack Anderson closed out the game, clinching the 8-4 victory, and the win against the 22nd ranked Mountaineers, according to RPI. 

Penn State will resume its conference games with an away series against Ohio State, starting this Friday.  The Buckeyes have lost their past six ballgames. 

The Lions are currently 4-1 in conference and a sterling 8-0 at home. 

Michael Gilbert is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism.  To contact him, email myg5257@psu.edu.