Nittany Lions Kick Off Big Ten Homestand Against Trojans (Enhanced Series Preview)
- bryanportney01
- Apr 10
- 4 min read

USC (21-11, 9-6 Big Ten) at Penn State (21-10, 9-6 Big Ten)
Dates: April 11-13
Times: 5:30 PM (Fri), 5:30 PM (Sat), 1:00 PM (Sun)
Location: Medlar Field at Lubrano Park (University Park, PA)
Average Home Attendance (2025): 1,961.50
Highest Home Attendance (2025): 4,049 (March 4, vs. FDU)
Capacity: 5,406
Coverage
TV: BTN+ ($) [free on-campus]
Radio: CommRadio & LionVision (PSU)
Live Stats/Pregame Lineups: StatBroadcast (PSU)
Storylines
Tale of the Tape: Welcome to the Big Ten
The USC Trojans have had a successful inaugural campaign halfway into Big Ten play, claiming series wins over Michigan, Nebraska, Indiana and Ohio State. The Trojans bring a longstanding run of success to the Big Ten, winning 12 national championships in their program history.
Head Coach Tabbed to Lead USA Collegiate National Team
Trojans’ head coach Andy Stankiewicz has been named the manager for Team USA this summer for the 45th edition of the All-Star Series between Team USA and Team Japan. Stankiewicz will be on the Team USA coaching staff for the fifth time after being an assistant coach for them in 2023. (Source: USC Athletics)
Weingartner on Pace for Single-Season School Record
Shortstop Ryan Weingartner is now only six stolen bases away from breaking the program record for the most in a single season. Weingartner, having stolen 22 bases this year, is looking to break the record currently held by Kyle Hannon, who had 27 in 2023. (Source: 2025 Penn State Baseball Record Book)
USC at Penn State: By The Numbers
USC | Offense | Penn State |
.289 | Batting Average | .285 |
.391 | On-Base Pct | .396 |
43 (1.34) | Home Runs (per game) | 56 (1.81) |
65-52-31 | Total Runs (Fri-Sat-Sun) | 81-79-60 |
USC | Defense | Penn State |
5.25 | Earned Run Avg | 6.00 |
.265 | Opponent Batting Avg | .274 |
301 (9.41) | Strikeouts (per game) | 252 (8.13) |
119 (3.72) | Walks (per game) | 153 (4.94) |
The Head-to-Head History of USC-Penn State (Source: 2025 Penn State Baseball Record Book)
Penn State is 0-2 against USC all-time. Penn State last played USC on March 14, 1994, falling by a score of 6 to 2 at a neutral site. Penn State is 0-0 against USC at home all-time. USC has won the last two games dating back to March 12, 1994. Penn State has never beaten USC.
Probable Starting Pitchers
USC
LHP Caden Hunter, Jr. (6-1, 3.65 ERA)
Conference Splits (5 games/starts): 4-1, 4.60 ERA
Away Splits (3 games/starts): 2-0, 3.12 ERA
RHP Caden Aoki, Sr. (2-2, 5.65 ERA)
Conference Splits (5 games/starts): 1-2, 7.52 ERA
Away Splits (3 games/starts): 1-1, 6.48 ERA
To be announced.
Penn State
LHP Ryan DeSanto, Jr. (6-1, 3.62 ERA)
Conference Splits (5 games/starts): 4-1, 4.01 ERA
Home Splits (2 games/starts): 1-1, 5.62 ERA
RHP Mason Horwat, So. (4-2, 6.06 ERA)
Conference Splits (4 games/starts): 1-2, 9.72 ERA
Home Splits (2 games/starts): 1-1, 10.80 ERA
LHP Logan Olson, Jr. (0-1, 5.87 ERA)
Conference Splits (3 games/starts): 0-1, 6.75 ERA
Home Splits (2 games/starts): 0-1, 6.75 ERA
Top Bullpen Pitchers
USC
RHP Brodie Purcell, So. (16 app, 23.2 IP, 1.14 ERA, 0.85 WHIP)
Conference Splits (6 games): 6 app, 11.2 IP, 0.77 ERA, 0.43 WHIP
Away Splits (8 games): 8 app, 11.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP
RHP Andrew Johnson, Fr. (12 app, 31.2 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP)
Conference Splits (3 games): 3 app, 8.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP
Away Splits (7 games): 7 app, 19 IP, 3.79 ERA, 0.84 WHIP
RHP/3B Ethan Hedges, Jr. (10 app, 3.60 ERA, 8 sv)
Conference Splits (4 games): 4 app, 4.50 ERA, 3 sv
Away Splits (5 games): 5 app, 3.18 ERA, 4 sv
Penn State
LHP Anthony Steele, Sr. (14 app, 21 IP, 2.14 ERA, 1.33 WHIP)
Conference Splits (6 games): 6 app, 13 IP, 1.38 ERA, 1.31 WHIP
Home Splits (5 games): 5 app, 7.1 IP, 4.91 ERA, 1.64 WHIP
RHP Ben DeMell, R-Jr. (12 app, 23 IP, 4.30 ERA, 1.48 WHIP)
Conference Splits (5 games): 5 app, 12.2 IP, 3.55 ERA, 1.74 WHIP
Home Splits (4 games): 4 app, 7.2 IP, 7.04 ERA, 1.83 WHIP
RHP Dimond Loosli, Jr. (10 app, 15 IP, 4.80 ERA, 1.80 WHIP)
Conference Splits (6 games): 6 app, 9 IP, 6.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP
Home Splits (1 game): 1 app, 2.1 IP, 7.71 ERA, 0.86 WHIP
Top Hitters/Runners
USC (7.22|7.43|4.43 Runs per Game)
RHP/3B Ethan Hedges, Jr. (.415|.523|.805, 11 hr, 39 rbi, 9 sb)
Conference Splits (15 games): .429|.535|.857, 6 hr, 17 rbi, 5 sb
Away Splits (14 games): .418|.522|.891, 7 hr, 18 rbi
CF Brayden Dowd, So. (.331|.474|.595, 8 hr, 25 rbi)
Conference Splits (15 games): .339|.486|.661, 5 hr, 12 rbi
Away Splits (14 games): .353|.507|.569, 3 hr, 9 rbi
2B Abbrie Covarrubias, So. (.330|.415|.481, 3 hr, 17 rbi)
Conference Splits (14 games): .377|.421|.509, 1 hr, 7 rbi
Away Splits (14 games): .358|.452|.566, 2 hr, 13 rbi
Penn State (10.13|8.78|8.57 Runs per Game)
CF Paxton Kling, Jr. (.348|.422|.674, 11 hr, 36 rbi)
Conference Splits (15 games): .369|.419|.600, 3 hr, 15 rbi
Home Splits (11 games): .283|.327|.543, 3 hr, 10 rbi
3B Bryce Molinaro, R-So. (.288|.409|.584, 9 hr, 40 rbi)
Conference Stats (15 games): .226|.324|.565, 6 hr, 19 rbi
Home Splits (11 games): .282|.420|.692, 4 hr, 15 rbi
SS Ryan Weingartner, Jr. (.262|.415|.492, 6 hr, 19 rbi, 22 sb)
Conference Stats (15 games): .206|.342|.381, 2 hr, 7 rbi
Home Splits (11 games): .211|.412|.237, 0 hr, 3 rbi, 10 sb
Game Promotions
Friday: N/A.
Saturday: Ice Cream Day, Postgame Autographs, Postgame Fireworks, Trading Cards Giveaway
Sunday: Wear White, Kids Run The Bases (12 and under)
Quick Picks: Expert Analysis
Bryan: The winner of this series will be able to put themselves in the NCAA bubble watch conversation for sure. With the Nittany Lions finding a groove offensively, they’ll settle into the long homestand with two wins to take the series. Penn State 2, USC 1.
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