Nittany Lions Face Mountaineers in Mammoth Rivalry Tilt (Enhanced Midweek Preview)
- bryanportney01
- Apr 21
- 4 min read
No. 17 West Virginia (34-4, 13-3 Big 12) at Penn State (24-14, 12-9 Big Ten)
Date: April 22
Time (EST): 6:00 PM
Location: Medlar Field at Lubrano Park (University Park, PA)
Average Home Attendance (2025): 1,675.71
Highest Home Attendance (2025): 4,049 (March 4, vs. FDU)
Capacity: 5,406
Coverage
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: CommRadio [check gameday links on X] & Mountaineer All-Access (WVU) & LionVision (PSU)
Live Stats/Pregame Lineups: StatBroadcast (PSU)
Storylines
Quick Preview: Major Postseason Implications
The Nittany Lions look to improve their chances of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as they host the 17th-ranked West Virginia Mountaineers. West Virginia is the first ranked team to play at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park since 20th-ranked Maryland came to town on the weekend of May 18-20, 2023.
Sauve Tabbed for Buster Posey Award Watch List
Junior catcher Logan Sauve was recognized for his successes so far this season as he has been put on the Buster Posey Award Watch List. Sauve has been stout defensively, throwing out 25% of runners attempting to steal bases this year. (Source: West Virginia University Athletics)
Wagner Injury Status in Question
First baseman Cole Wagner left Friday’s game against Purdue in the first inning before even having an at-bat. Having not played for the rest of the weekend, there is still uncertainty surrounding his status for Tuesday against 17th-ranked West Virginia. (Source: Victory Bell Rings)
No. 17 West Virginia at Penn State: By The Numbers
No. 17 West Virginia | Offense | Penn State |
.317 | Batting Average | .276 |
.418 | On-Base Pct | .391 |
41 (1.08) | Home Runs (per game) | 61 (1.61) |
70 (9 games) | Total Runs (midweek) | 60 (8 games) |
No. 17 West Virginia | Defense | Penn State |
3.72 | Earned Run Avg | 6.06 |
.213 | Opponent Batting Avg | .276 |
367 (9.66) | Strikeouts (per game) | 312 (8.21) |
167 (4.39) | Walks (per game) | 182 (4.79) |
The Head-to-Head History of West Virginia-Penn State (Source: 2025 Penn State Baseball Record Book)
Penn State is 73-45 against West Virginia all-time. Penn State last played West Virginia on May 8, 2024, with the Mountaineers beating the Nittany Lions by a score of 18 to 7 in seven innings at home. Penn State is 39-18 against West Virginia at home all-time. West Virginia has won the last two games in the series dating back to April 25, 2023. Penn State most recently won a game over West Virginia on April 11, 2023, winning 11 to 6 at home.
Probable Starting Pitchers (unofficial)
No. 17 West Virginia: RHP David Hagen, Fr. (2-0, 2.18 ERA)
Non-Conference Splits (8 games/7 starts): 2-0, 2.18 ERA
Away Splits (3 games/starts): 1-0, 2.70 ERA
Career vs. Penn State: No Stats
Penn State: RHP Skip Shenosky, Jr. (1-2, 7.96 ERA)
Non-Conference Splits (8 games/6 starts): 1-1, 5.76 ERA
Home Splits (5 games/4 starts): 0-1, 7.80 ERA
Career vs. West Virginia: No Stats
Top Bullpen Pitchers
No. 17 West Virginia
RHP Reese Bassinger, Sr. (17 app, 40 IP, 2.93 ERA, 7 sv)
Non-Conference Splits (7 games): 7 app, 20.1 IP, 2.66 ERA, 6 sv
Away Splits (11 games): 11 app, 21.2 IP, 3.32 ERA, 5 sv
Career vs. Penn State (0 games): No Stats
RHP Chase Meyer, So. (12 app, 29 IP, 2.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP)
Non-Conference Splits (5 games): 5 app, 10 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.60 WHIP
Away Splits (7 games): 7 app, 15.2 IP, 2.30 ERA, 1.02 WHIP
Career vs. Penn State (1 games): 1 app, 2.2 IP, 16.88 ERA, 3.38 WHIP
RHP Benjamin Hudson, Fr. (12 app, 21.2 IP, 2.49 ERA, 1.02 WHIP)
Non-Conference Splits (6 games): 6 app, 13 IP, 2.08 ERA, 0.38 WHIP
Away Splits (5 games): 5 app, 5.2 IP, 6.35 ERA, 1.76 WHIP
Career vs. Penn State (0 games): No Stats
Penn State
LHP Anthony Steele, Sr. (16 app, 24 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.46 WHIP)
Non-Conference Splits (8 games): 8 app, 8 IP, 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP
Home Splits (7 games): 7 app, 10.1 IP, 4.35 ERA, 1.84 WHIP
Career vs. West Virginia (1 game): 1 app, 1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP
RHP Dimond Loosli, Jr. (14 app, 22.2 IP, 4.37 ERA, 1.41 WHIP)
Non-Conference Splits (4 games): 4 app, 6 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP
Home Splits (5 games): 5 app, 10 IP, 4.50 ERA, 0.70 WHIP
Career vs. West Virginia: No Stats
LHP Matthew VanOstenbridge, Fr. (15 app, 27 IP, 4.67 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)
Non-Conference Splits (5 games): 5 app, 9 IP, 4.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP
Home Splits (8 games): 8 app, 15.1 IP, 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP
Career vs. West Virginia: No Stats
Top Hitters/Runners
No. 17 West Virginia (7.78 Runs per Game)
2B/DH Sam White, Jr. (.383|.449|.551, 3 hr, 28 rbi)
Non-Conference Splits (19 games): .371|.463|.557, 2 hr, 17 rbi
Away Splits (16 games): .297|.356|.375, 1 hr, 10 rbi
Career vs. Penn State (3 games): .444|.444|.778, 1 hr, 3 rbi
RF/LF Jace Rinehart, Sr. (.366|.432|.642, 7 hr, 39 rbi)
Non-Conference Splits (19 games): .327|.439|.564, 2 hr, 16 rbi
Away Splits (17 games): .306|.358|.500, 3 hr, 21 rbi
Career vs. Penn State (0 games): No Stats
CF Skylar King, Jr. (.364|.472|.481, 2 hr, 24 rbi, 12 sb)
Non-Conference Splits (22 games): .406|.531|.516, 1 hr, 15 rbi, 9 sb
Away Splits (20 games): .359|.512|.531, 2 hr, 8 rbi, 4 sb
Career vs. Penn State (2 games): .333|.333|1.333, 1 hr, 2 rbi, 0 sb
Penn State (7.50 Runs per Game)
CF Paxton Kling, Jr. (.338|.430|.656, 12 hr, 41 rbi)
Non-Conference Splits (17 games): .319|.429|.725, 8 hr, 21 rbi
Home Splits (18 games): .279|.383|.544, 4 hr, 15 rbi
Career vs. West Virginia: No Stats
LF Jesse Jaconski, Jr. (.305|.391|.626, 10 hr, 41 rbi)
Non-Conference Splits (16 games): .246|.318|.509, 4 hr, 14 rbi
Home Splits (18 games): .305|.389|.610, 4 hr, 20 rbi
Career vs. West Virginia: No Stats
SS Ryan Weingartner, Jr. (.261|.408|.497, 8 hr, 27 rbi, 24 sb)
Non-Conference Splits (17 games): .328|.483|.642, 5 hr, 13 rbi, 15 sb
Home Splits (18 games): .231|.398|.354, 2 hr, 11 rbi, 12 sb
Career vs. West Virginia: No Stats
Game Promotions
Dollar Dog Night
Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night
Student Shirt Giveaway (first 200 students)
Quick Picks: Expert Analysis
Bryan: Penn State has the opportunity of a lifetime with a record crowd more than likely to be in attendance. The Nittany Lions will shock the world and cruise past the rival Mountaineers. Pick: Penn State
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