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Nittany Lions Host Wolverines to Open Conference Play (Series Preview)

Michigan (7-14, 0-0 Big Ten) at Penn State (11-7, 0-0 Big Ten)

Dates: March 22-24

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

Coverage


Storylines

Kurt Barr Named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week

Following an 11-inning weekend, Barr struck out 7 batters and claimed 2 wins. Mitch Voit was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week on March 4.


Embracing the Atmosphere: Medlar Magic

After a large comeback caused a 21-14 Penn State win, there was much to say about the benefits of playing in front of a home crowd. Grant Norris commented, "You have all the students in the stands that have the chants going and everything like that so I think it just brings a better atmosphere to the field than we've had before" (Millen).


Numbers Tell The Story

Michigan

Offense

Penn State

.243

Batting Average

.299

.354

On-Base Pct

.411

23

Home Runs

19

33-27-22

Run Splits (F-S-S)

31-48-40


Michigan

Defense

Penn State

7.36

Earned Run Avg

6.25

.298

Opponent Batting Avg

.277

137

Strikeouts

124

130

Walks

87


Wolverines Dominate the Series (Source: Baseball History Penn State Athletics)

Penn State is 15-33 against Michigan all-time. Penn State last played Michigan from March 24-26, 2023, being swept on the road (Michigan outscored Penn State, 28-8). Penn State's last win over Michigan was on March 26, 2021 (3-2 at home). Penn State last won a home series over Michigan from April 13-15, 2012 (2 wins, Penn State outscored Michigan, 23-12).


Probable Starting Pitchers

Michigan (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 8.38]

  1. # 55 RHP Mitch Voit, So. (1-3, 7.20 ERA)

  2. # 37 RHP Chase Allen, Sr. (2-2, 9.86 ERA)

  3. # 27 RHP Dylan Vigue, Fr. (0-2, 6.75 ERA)

Michigan (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 7.94]

  • # 6 RHP Kurt Barr, So. (6 app, 18.1 IP, 1.47 ERA, 1.20 WHIP)

  • # 19 RHP Brandon Mann, So. (9 app, 9 IP, 4.00 ERA, 2.22 WHIP)

  • Closer: # 20 RHP Ricky Kidd, Jr. (6 app, 5.25 ERA, 2-2 sv/opp)

Penn State (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.68]

  1. # 33 RHP Travis Luensmann, Sr. (2-1, 4.94 ERA)

  2. # 27 RHP Mason Horwat, Fr. (2-0, 5.51 ERA) or # 20 RHP Frankie Sanchez, Jr. (1-0, 1.93 ERA)

  3. # 24 RHP Jaden Henline, Sr. (2-0, 11.30 ERA)

Penn State (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 5.65]

  • # 30 LHP Anthony Steele, Jr. (9 app, 14.1 IP, 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP)

  • # 9 RHP Connor Throneberry, R-So. (6 app, 6.2 IP, 4.05 ERA, 1.65 WHIP)

  • Closer: # 15 RHP David Lee, Sr. (9 app, 3.65 ERA, 3-4 sv/opp)


Top Hitters/Runners

Michigan (6.60|5.40|4.40 Runs per Game)

  1. # 55 RHP/1B Mitch Voit, So. (.345 avg, 3 hr, 14 rbi)

    1. Batted 3rd in all but two games.

  2. # 15 LF/CF Stephen Hrustich, Gr. (.274 avg, 6 hr, 13 rbi)

    1. Batted 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th each in more than one start.

  3. # 2 3B Cole Caruso, Jr. (.210 avg, 1 hr, 16 rbi)

    1. Batted 3rd in his last 9 starts.

Penn State (6.20|9.60|8.00 Runs per Game)

  1. # 40 DH/C J.T. Marr, Gr. (.453 avg, 1 hr, 17 rbi)

    1. Batted 3rd or 4th in every game.

  2. # 0 RF Adam Cecere, Gr. (.316 avg, 5 hr, 15 rbi)

    1. Batted 6th in his last 7 starts.

  3. # 2 2B Kyle Hannon, Sr. (.231 avg, .351 obp, 10-12 sb/att)

    1. Batted 7th in his last 3 starts.


Computer-Generated Game Lines (BPSportsbook)

*NOT for money reasons. The lines below are based off of a computer model.

Thursday: PSU -1.5 | O/U: 12.5

Saturday: PSU -4.5 | O/U: 15.5

Sunday: PSU -4 | O/U: 15.5


Game Promotions

Friday: Wear White, First 100 Students Dunkin Gift Card Giveaway

Saturday: Bark In The Park, Dog Bandana Giveaway, Postgame Autographs, Trading Card Giveaway

Sunday: Postgame Kids Run The Bases


Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

Bryan: Penn State still has much left to prove, but they have a lot of fight and it should carry over to conference play. I think the Nittany Lions can break through with a series win. Penn State 2, Michigan 1.

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