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Nittany Lions Kick Off Big Ten Homestand Against Trojans (Enhanced Series Preview)


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


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

  1. LHP Caden Hunter, Jr. (6-1, 3.65 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (5 games/starts): 4-1, 4.60 ERA

    2. Away Splits (3 games/starts): 2-0, 3.12 ERA

  2. RHP Caden Aoki, Sr. (2-2, 5.65 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (5 games/starts): 1-2, 7.52 ERA

    2. Away Splits (3 games/starts): 1-1, 6.48 ERA

  3. To be announced.

Penn State

  1. LHP Ryan DeSanto, Jr. (6-1, 3.62 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (5 games/starts): 4-1, 4.01 ERA

    2. Home Splits (2 games/starts): 1-1, 5.62 ERA

  2. RHP Mason Horwat, So. (4-2, 6.06 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (4 games/starts): 1-2, 9.72 ERA

    2. Home Splits (2 games/starts): 1-1, 10.80 ERA

  3. LHP Logan Olson, Jr. (0-1, 5.87 ERA)

    1. Conference Splits (3 games/starts): 0-1, 6.75 ERA

    2. Home Splits (2 games/starts): 0-1, 6.75 ERA


Top Bullpen Pitchers

USC

  1. RHP Brodie Purcell, So. (16 app, 23.2 IP, 1.14 ERA, 0.85 WHIP)

    1. Conference Splits (6 games): 6 app, 11.2 IP, 0.77 ERA, 0.43 WHIP

    2. Away Splits (8 games): 8 app, 11.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP

  2. RHP Andrew Johnson, Fr. (12 app, 31.2 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.52 WHIP)

    1. Conference Splits (3 games): 3 app, 8.2 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.27 WHIP

    2. Away Splits (7 games): 7 app, 19 IP, 3.79 ERA, 0.84 WHIP

  3. RHP/3B Ethan Hedges, Jr. (10 app, 3.60 ERA, 8 sv)

    1. Conference Splits (4 games): 4 app, 4.50 ERA, 3 sv

    2. 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)

  1. RHP/3B Ethan Hedges, Jr. (.415|.523|.805, 11 hr, 39 rbi, 9 sb)

    1. Conference Splits (15 games): .429|.535|.857, 6 hr, 17 rbi, 5 sb

    2. Away Splits (14 games): .418|.522|.891, 7 hr, 18 rbi

  2. CF Brayden Dowd, So. (.331|.474|.595, 8 hr, 25 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (15 games): .339|.486|.661, 5 hr, 12 rbi

    2. Away Splits (14 games): .353|.507|.569, 3 hr, 9 rbi

  3. 2B Abbrie Covarrubias, So. (.330|.415|.481, 3 hr, 17 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (14 games): .377|.421|.509, 1 hr, 7 rbi

    2. Away Splits (14 games): .358|.452|.566, 2 hr, 13 rbi

Penn State (10.13|8.78|8.57 Runs per Game)

  1. CF Paxton Kling, Jr. (.348|.422|.674, 11 hr, 36 rbi)

    1. Conference Splits (15 games): .369|.419|.600, 3 hr, 15 rbi

    2. Home Splits (11 games): .283|.327|.543, 3 hr, 10 rbi

  2. 3B Bryce Molinaro, R-So. (.288|.409|.584, 9 hr, 40 rbi)

    1. Conference Stats (15 games): .226|.324|.565, 6 hr, 19 rbi

    2. Home Splits (11 games): .282|.420|.692, 4 hr, 15 rbi

  3. SS Ryan Weingartner, Jr. (.262|.415|.492, 6 hr, 19 rbi, 22 sb)

    1. Conference Stats (15 games): .206|.342|.381, 2 hr, 7 rbi

    2. 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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