Nittany Lions Host Scarlet Knights in Crucial Home Finale (Series Preview)

# 11 Rutgers (26-21, 4-14 Big Ten) at # 12 Penn State (21-21, 7-11 Big Ten)

# indicates Big Ten rank (see BP Baseball's Big Ten Power Rankings: Week 13)

Dates: May 10-12

Times: 5:30 PM, 2:00 PM, 1:00 PM

Coverage

• TV: BTN+ ($)

• Radio: LionVision (PSU)

• Live Stats/Pregame Lineups: StatBroadcast (PSU)

Storylines

Kuroda-Grauer Nominated For Brooks Wallace Award

The best shortstop in the country receives the Brooks Wallace Award, and Rutgers shortstop Josh Kuroda-Grauer has shown why he should earn it. Kuroda-Grauer currently leads the country in hits (85) and hits per game (1.81), and slashes a .438/.509/.619 line. (Source: Rutgers University Athletics)

Maloney's Name Is On The List

Maloney has caught 6 runners out of 27 in a season that now sees him on the most prestigious award for NCAA baseball catchers. The last Nittany Lion catcher to be on the Buster Posey Award watchlist was Matthew Wood in 2022, who helped propel them to a Big Ten Tournament appearance for the first time in 10 years. (Sources: Onward State/Penn State Athletics)

Numbers Tell The Story

Rutgers	Offense	Penn State
.309	Batting Average	.302
.404	On-Base Pct	.403
44	Home Runs	56
78-83-60	Run Splits (F-S-S)	87-91-94

Rutgers	Defense	Penn State
5.65	Earned Run Avg	6.86
.256	Opponent Batting Avg	.289
393	Strikeouts	282
199	Walks	214

Scarlet Knights Hold Slight Lead (Source: Baseball History Penn State Athletics)

Penn State is 14-15 against Rutgers since 2009. Penn State last played Rutgers from May 5-7, 2023, getting swept on the road (Rutgers outscored Penn State, 26-3). Penn State's last home series win over Rutgers was from May 14-17, 2021 (Penn State outscored Rutgers, 19-17 in 4 games).

Top Pitchers

Rutgers (Probable Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 5.40]

1. LHP Justin Sinibaldi, Sr. (4-3, 3.33 ERA)

2. RHP Jake Marshall, Gr. (1-2, 7.23 ERA)

3. LHP Donovan Zsak, R-Fr. (2-1, 5.87 ERA)

Rutgers (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 6.78]

• RHP Ben Gorski, Sr. (16 rel app, 28.2 IP, 3.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP)

• RHP Sonny Fauci, Gr. (19 rel app, 27.1 IP, 4.61 ERA, 1.46 WHIP)

• Closer: LHP Sonny DeChiaro, Gr. (16 app, 4.70 ERA, 5 sv)

Penn State (Probable Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 5.94]

1. RHP Travis Luensmann, Sr. (5-2, 4.63 ERA)

2. RHP Jaden Henline, Sr. (3-3, 7.47 ERA)

3. RHP Frankie Sanchez, Jr. (2-2, 5.88 ERA)

Penn State (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 7.46]

• RHP Mason Horwat, Fr. (12 rel app, 37.2 IP, 5.50 ERA, 1.46 WHIP)

• LHP Anthony Steele, Jr. (20 app, 28.2 IP, 5.97 ERA, 1.43 WHIP)

• RHP David Lee, Sr. (21 app, 23.2 IP, 7.23 ERA, 1.77 WHIP)

Top Hitters/Runners

Rutgers (6.50|6.58|5.00 Runs per Game)

1. SS Josh Kuroda-Grauer, Jr. (.438 avg, .509 obp, 22-25 sb/att)

2. 3B Tony Santa Maria, R-So. (.321 avg, 12 hr, 46 rbi)

3. 1B Ty Doucette, Fr. (.350 avg, 8 hr, 44 rbi)

Penn State (7.25|7.58|7.83 Runs per Game)

1. C/DH J.T. Marr, Gr. (.413 avg, 6 hr, 44 rbi)

2. RF Adam Cecere, Gr. (.683 slugging pct, 13 hr, 41 rbi)

3. SS Grant Norris, Gr. (.287 avg, 13 hr, 39 rbi)

Game Promotions

Friday: Alumni Day

Saturday: Little League Day, ALS Awareness Day, Postgame Autographs, Trading Card Giveaway

Sunday: Senior Day, Postgame Kids Run The Bases

Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: It's the most important weekend of the season for the Nittany Lions. With that being said, I don't think they have it in them to win the series. Rutgers 2, Penn State 1.