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Nittany Lions Face Huskies, Trojans in Big Ten Tournament (Pool C Preview)

No. 9 Penn State (31-22, 15-15 Big Ten) vs. No. 5 Washington (29-26, 17-13 Big Ten)

No. 4 USC (34-20, 18-12 Big Ten) vs. No. 9 Penn State (31-22, 15-15 Big Ten)

No. 5 Washington (29-26, 17-13 Big Ten) vs. No. 4 USC (34-20, 18-12 Big Ten)

Dates: May 21-23

Game Times (EST)

  • No. 9 Penn State vs. No. 5 Washington – May 21, 3:00 PM

  • No. 4 USC vs. No. 9 Penn State – May 22, 3:00 PM

  • No. 5 Washington vs. No. 4 USC – May 23, 11:00 AM

Location: Charles Schwab Field (Omaha, NE)

  • Average Tournament Attendance (2024, 5 games): 7,310.60

  • Highest Tournament Attendance (2024): 13,300 (May 26, Big Ten Championship)

  • Capacity: 24,505

Coverage


Storylines

Quick Preview: Gauging The Urgency Level

The Washington Huskies and Penn State Nittany Lions are not near the NCAA Tournament bubble watch as an at-large bid, increasing the need to win on Wednesday. The USC Trojans are likely to have an at-large bid, but their talent could carry them to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals regardless.


Kling Inks Two Postseason Honors

Center fielder Paxton Kling was listed on the All-Big Ten First Team and the All-Defensive team in the Big Ten for his efforts in the outfield this season. His .340 batting average leads the Nittany Lions this season. (Source: Penn State - Official Athletics Website)


Pitching Staff Rewarded in Postseason Awards

Relief pitcher Isaac Yeager was the lone Washington Huskies player to appear on the All-Big Ten first team. Right behind him on the second team is Washington’s ace Max Banks. (Source: Big Ten Conference Announces Baseball Postseason Awards)


Aoki, Hedges Take Home Multiple Awards

Starting pitcher Caden Aoki was tabbed for the All-Big Ten third team and the pitching representative for the All-Defensive Team in the Big Ten. Third baseman Ethan Hedges was listed on the All-Big Ten first team and was the third baseman representative for the all-defensive team in the Big Ten. (Source: Big Ten Conference Announces Baseball Postseason Awards)


Pool C: By The Numbers

No. 9 Penn State

Batting

No. 5 Washington

No. 4 USC

.273

Batting Average

.261

.293

.385

On-Base Pct

.372

.381

77 (1.48)

Home Runs (per game)

57 (1.04)

63 (1.17)

18-29

Last 3 Weeks’ Runs (Game 1-Game 2)

9-10

9-13

Penn State

Pitching

No. 5 Washington

No. 4 USC

6.13

Earned Run Avg

4.82

4.61

.280

Opponent Batting Avg

.257

.245

425 (8.17)

Strikeouts (per game)

419 (7.62)

489 (9.06)

259 (4.98)

Walks (per game)

235 (4.27)

202 (3.74)



Penn State-Washington: Penn State is 0-1 against Washington all-time. Penn State last played Washington in 1923, losing 8 to 2. Penn State is 0-0 against Washington in the Big Ten Tournament.

USC-Penn State: Penn State is 1-4 against USC all-time. Penn State last played USC on the weekend of April 11-13, 2025, taking one-of-three at home. Penn State is 0-0 against USC in the Big Ten Tournament.

Washington-USC: Washington is 49-47 against USC all-time. Washington last played USC on the weekend of May 15-17, 2025, taking two-of-three at home. Washington is 1-0 against USC in conference tournaments, having won 8 to 3 in the Pac-12 Tournament round robin on May 25, 2023.


Probable Starting Pitchers (unofficial)

No. 9 Penn State

  1. LHP Ryan DeSanto, Jr. (7-2, 4.30 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (10 games/starts): 5-2, 4.82 ERA

    2. Career Postseason Splits (2 games/starts): 2-0, 0.00 ERA (0 ER, 16 IP)

  2. LHP Logan Olson, Jr. (0-3, 8.65 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (8 games/starts): 0-3, 9.82 ERA

    2. Career Postseason Splits (1 game/0 starts): 0-0, undefined ERA (0 ER, 0 IP)

    3. Career vs. USC (1 game/start): 0-1, 13.50 ERA (2.2 IP)

No. 5 Washington

  1. RHP Max Banks, Sr. (7-3, 3.67 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (9 games/starts): 6-1, 3.33 ERA

    2. Career Postseason Splits (2 games/starts): 2-0, 2.50 ERA (12 IP)

  2. RHP Jackson Thomas, Sr. (5-4, 4.10 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (10 games/starts): 4-3, 4.61 ERA

    2. Career Postseason Splits (2 games/1 start): 0-1, 5.68 ERA (6.1 IP)

    3. Career vs. USC (1 game): 1-0, 1.50 ERA (6 IP)

No. 4 USC

  1. LHP Caden Hunter, Jr. (6-5, 5.18 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (10 games/9 starts): 4-4, 5.94 ERA

    2. Career Postseason Splits (4 games/starts): 0-0, 3.75 ERA

    3. Career vs. Penn State: 0-0, 1.29 ERA (7 IP)

  2. RHP Caden Aoki, Sr. (5-4, 4.46 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (10 games/starts): 4-4, 4.81 ERA

    2. Career Postseason Splits (2 games/starts): 0-1, 5.68 ERA (11.1 IP)

    3. Career vs. Washington (3 games/starts): 0-2, 3.24 ERA (16.2 IP)


Top Bullpen Pitchers

No. 9 Penn State

  • LHP Anthony Steele, Sr. (24 app, 37 IP, 3.40 ERA, 1.51 WHIP)

    • Conference Splits (14 games): 14 app, 25.1 IP, 3.91 ERA, 1.62 WHIP

    • Career Postseason Splits (3 games): 3 app, 2.2 IP, 10.13 ERA, 3.37 WHIP

    • Career vs. USC (1 game): 1 app, 1.1 IP, 6.75 ERA, 2.25 WHIP

  • LHP Matthew VanOstenbridge, Fr. (21 app, 39.1 IP, 3.89 ERA, 1.23 WHIP)

    • Conference Splits (13 games): 13 app, 24.1 IP, 3.70 ERA, 1.23 WHIP

    • Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    • Career vs. USC (1 game): 1 app, 3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

  • RHP Chase Renner, R-So. (15 app, 19.2 IP, 3.20 ERA, 1.51 WHIP)

    • Conference Splits (8 games): 8 app, 12.2 IP, 4.97 ERA, 1.82 WHIP

    • Career Postseason Splits (1 game): 1 app, 0.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP

    • Career vs. USC (1 game): 1 app, 2.1 IP, 3.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP

No. 5 Washington

  • LHP Gunnar Nichols, Jr. (16 app, 28.2 IP, 2.20 ERA, 1.15 WHIP)

    • Conference Splits (8 games): 8 app, 17.1 IP, 1.04 ERA, 0.98 WHIP

    • Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    • Career vs. USC (1 game): 1 app, 3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP

  • RHP Isaac Yeager, Jr. (23 app, 46.2 IP, 3.66 ERA, 7-7 sv/opp)

    • Conference Splits (13 games): 13 app, 30 IP, 2.40 ERA, 6-6 sv/opp

    • Career Postseason Splits (1 game): 1 app, 0.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0-0 sv/opp

    • Career vs. USC (3 games): 3 app, 8.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1-1 sv/opp

  • RHP Peysen Sweeney, R-Jr. (17 app, 24 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.54 WHIP)

    • Conference Splits (6 games): 6 app, 8.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.73 WHIP

    • Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    • Career vs. USC (1 game): 1 app, 0.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP

No. 4 USC

  • RHP Brodie Purcell, So. (24 app, 36.1 IP, 2.23 ERA, 1.05 WHIP)

    • Conference Splits (12 games): 12 app, 21 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

    • Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    • Career vs. Penn State (2 games): 2 app, 2.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.57 WHIP

    • Career vs. Washington (3 games): 3 app, 4.2 IP, 3.85 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

  • 3B/RHP Ethan Hedges, Jr. (14 app, 14 IP, 2.57 ERA, 9-10 sv/opp)

    • Conference Splits (7 games): 7 app, 7 IP, 2.57 ERA, 4-5 sv/opp

    • Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    • Career vs. Penn State (1 game): 1 app, 1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0-0 sv/opp

    • Career vs. Washington (1 game): 1 app, 1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0-0 sv/opp

  • RHP Andrew Johnson, Fr. (20 app, 63.1 IP, 4.41 ERA, 1.26 WHIP)

    • Conference Splits (8 games): 8 app, 33.1 IP, 3.51 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

    • Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    • Career vs. Penn State (1 game): 1 app, 2 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

    • Career vs. Washington (1 game): 1 app, 5 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP


Top Hitters/Runners

No. 9 Penn State (6.00|9.67 Runs per Game)

  1. CF Paxton Kling, Jr. (.340|.451|.616, 13 hr, 53 rbi, 14 sb)

    1. Conference Splits (30 games): .353|.452|.560, 4 hr, 28 rbi, 9 sb

    2. Career Postseason Splits (22 games): .250|.250|.250, 0 hr, 0 rbi, 0 sb

    3. Career vs. USC (3 games): .182|.250|.636, 1 hr, 2 rbi, 0 sb

  2. 3B Bryce Molinaro, R-So. (.271|.380|.519, 13 hr, 58 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (30 games): .232|.329|.496, 9 hr, 32 rbi

    2. Career Postseason Splits (4 games): .375|.412|.688, 1 hr, 4 rbi

    3. Career vs. USC (3 games): .000|.182|.000, 0 hr, 0 rbi

  3. SS Ryan Weingartner, Jr. (.255|.392|.472, 10 hr, 39 rbi, 30 sb)

    1. Conference Splits (30 games): .213|.327|.354, 3 hr, 21 rbi, 11 sb

    2. Career Postseason Splits (8 games): .290|.450|.419, 1 hr, 7 rbi, 2 sb

    3. Career vs. USC (3 games): .333|.538|.667, 1 hr, 5 rbi, 1 sb

No. 5 Washington (3.00|3.33 Runs per Game)

  1. 1B Casen Taggart, Sr. (.327|.470|.497, 6 hr, 32 rbi, 10 sb)

    1. Conference Splits (29 games): .303|.453|.444, 3 hr, 13 rbi, 5 sb

    2. Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    3. Career vs. USC (5 games): .188|.316|.250, 0 hr, 1 rbi, 1 sb

  2. LF A.J. Guerrero, Sr. (.311|.408|.502, 8 hr, 35 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (30 games): .295|.370|.443, 3 hr, 14 rbi

    2. Career Postseason Splits (9 games): .314|.333|.486, 1 hr, 4 rbi

    3. Career vs. USC (13 games): .327|.362|.600, 4 hr, 17 rbi

  3. CF Malakhi Knight, Sr. (.245|.355|.368, 5 hr, 30 rbi, 24 sb)

    1. Conference Splits (30 games): .226|.336|.311, 2 hr, 14 rbi, 16 sb

    2. Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    3. Career vs. USC (10 games): .265|.265|.500, 2 hr, 7 rbi, 3 sb

No. 4 USC (3.00|4.33 Runs per Game)

  1. 3B/RHP Ethan Hedges, Jr. (.346|.461|.615, 12 hr, 54 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (30 games): .345|.458|.602, 7 hr, 28 rbi

    2. Career Postseason Splits (2 games): .250|.250|.500, 0 hr, 1 rbi

    3. Career vs. Penn State (3 games): .200|.429|.200, 0 hr, 2 rbi

    4. Career vs. Washington (10 games): .342|.375|.579, 0 hr, 8 rbi

  2. 1B Adrian Lopez, So. (.333|.410|.564, 8 hr, 46 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (29 games): .372|.427|.593, 4 hr, 24 rbi

    2. Career Postseason Splits: No Stats

    3. Career vs. Penn State (3 games): .556|.556|1.000, 0 hr, 1 rbi

    4. Career vs. Washington (6 games): .417|.517|.625, 1 hr, 6 rbi

  3. CF Brayden Dowd, So. (.319|.441|.517, 9 hr, 33 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (29 games): .351|.448|.588, 6 hr, 18 rbi

    2. Career Postseason Splits (1 game): .500|.500|.750, 0 hr, 1 rbi

    3. Career vs. Penn State (3 games): .286|.286|.429, 0 hr, 3 rbi

    4. Career vs. Washington (5 games): .235|.278|.235, 0 hr, 1 rbi


Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

No. 9 Penn State vs. No. 5 Washington

Bryan: Penn State looks like the better team offensively, and they’ll be going up against a solid pitching staff. I think the Nittany Lions will claw to a low-scoring victory. Penn State 5, Washington 3.

No. 4 USC vs. No. 9 Penn State

Bryan: This is where the Nittany Lions run into a buzzsaw against a well-oiled machine in the USC Trojans. Stellar pitching will carry the Trojans to victory. USC 8, Penn State 1.

No. 5 Washington vs. No. 4 USC

Bryan: This “pool championship” matchup will have all the ingredients for USC to take revenge after dropping two-of-three against the Huskies last week. The Trojans will be ready to go in a big win. USC 7, Washington 4.

 
 
 

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