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Penn State Baseball (Big Ten Tournament) Bracket 2 Preview



# 8 Penn State (26-23, 12-12 Big Ten) vs. # 1 Illinois (33-17, 18-6 Big Ten)

# 5 Iowa (29-21, 14-10 Big Ten) vs. # 4 Michigan (30-26, 14-10 Big Ten)

Dates: May 21-26

Place: Charles Schwab Field (Omaha, NE)

Game Times

  • # 8 Penn State vs. # 1 Illinois - Tuesday, 7:00 PM

  • # 5 Iowa vs. # 4 Michigan - Wednesday, 3:00 PM

  • First Elimination Game - Thursday, 11:00 AM

  • Winner's Game - Thursday, 7:00 PM

  • Second Elimination Game - Friday, 8:00 PM

  • Bracket 2 Championship - Saturday, 2:00 PM

  • Bracket 2 Championship (if necessary) - Saturday, 10:00 PM

  • BIG TEN BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - Sunday, 3:00 PM

Coverage


Storylines

Marr Continues Historic Season

Catcher/designated hitter JT Marr has not only found himself on the record books at Happy Valley (85 hits, third in PSU single-season history), but he has also seen himself flourish at the national stage. The graduate student is currently 9th in the Big Ten in runs batted in (49) and is tied with Florida's Jac Caglianone for sixth in the nation in batting average (.419). (Source: Record Book/PSU Stats/Big Ten Stats/NCAA Stats)


Illini Win Outright Regular Season Championship

Doubtful by many at the start of the season, the Fighting Illini have put together their best team in years. Their 103 home runs is the best in the Big Ten by 26, and their 402 runs batted in ranked third in the conference. (Source: Big Ten Stats)


Hawkeyes Dominate in Des Moines

In a much-anticipated season finale at Principal Park, Iowa had a slow start, losing 2-1 to FIU. They then came back and run-ruled the Panthers twice (15-2 F/7 and 16-4 F/7) to finish regular season play, which included seven home runs in two days. (Source: University of Iowa Athletics)


Newcomer Sets a Record

First baseman/designated hitter Collin Priest hit his 11th home run on Friday, which now is a new record for most home runs hit by a freshman. His .284 batting average ranks third on the team, and has appeared in 52 out of 56 games this season for the Wolverines. (Source: Michigan Baseball on X/Michigan Stats)


Numbers Tell The Story

*Run Splits: Sum of runs on Games 1, 2, and 3 in the last three weekends. Example: Team A wins 4-0 in Game 1, loses 3-11 in Game 2, and wins 6-5 in Game 3. Their run Splits (over 1 weekend of play) is 4-3-6.

(8) Penn State

(1) Illinois

Offense

(5) Iowa

(4) Michigan

.307

.302

AVG

.303

.258

.404

.410

On-Base Pct

.414

.377

67

103

Home Runs

54

68

22-8-30

20-23-36

Run Splits (Last 3)

10-34-25

5-17-22


(8) Penn State

(1) Illinois

Defense

(5) Iowa

(4) Michigan

6.86

6.02

ERA

5.94

6.05

.288

.261

Opponent AVG

.238

.287

323

408

Strikeouts

553

326

251

217

Walks

315

296



Nittany Lions Trail Overall Head-to-Head History (Baseball History Penn State Athletics)

Penn State is 17-32 against Illinois since 2004. The last head-to-head between these two teams was from March 29-30, 2024, when Penn State was swept on the road (Illinois outscored PSU, 43-24). Penn State is 1-0 against Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State beat Illinois, 6-2 in their lone postseason contest on May 25, 2007.


Penn State is 22-29 against Iowa since 2004. The last head-to-head between these two teams was on April 29, 2023, when the two teams split a doubleheader (PSU outscored Iowa, 14-13 at home). Penn State is 2-1 against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State lost to Iowa, 11-3 in their most recent postseason meeting on May 28, 2022.


Penn State is 16-35 against Michigan since 2004. The last head-to-head between these two teams was from March 22-24, 2024, when Penn State lost the series at home (Michigan outscored PSU, 23-14). Penn State is 1-1 against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament. Penn State beat Michigan, 6-5 in 10 innings in their most recent postseason meeting on May 25, 2007.


Probable Starting Pitchers

# 8 Penn State (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 5.99]

  1. RHP Travis Luensmann, Sr. (6-2, 4.96 ERA)

  2. RHP Jaden Henline, Sr. (3-2, 7.89 ERA)

  3. RHP Frankie Sanchez, Jr. (3-3, 6.56 ERA)

# 8 Penn State (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 7.20]

  • RHP Mason Horwat, Fr. (19 app [16 relief], 51.2 IP, 4.35 ERA, 1.30 WHIP)

  • LHP Anthony Steele, Jr. (23 app, 32 IP, 5.63 ERA, 1.41 WHIP)

  • LHP Matt Morash, Fr. (16 app [13 relief], 26.2 IP, 7.76 ERA, 1.99 WHIP)

# 1 Illinois (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.47]

  1. RHP Jack Crowder, Sr. (6-1, 5.24 ERA)

  2. LHP Cooper Omans, Gr. (4-1, 4.09 ERA)

  3. LHP Payton Hutchings, R-Jr. (4-1, 8.58 ERA)

# 1 Illinois (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 5.96]

  • RHP Korey Bunselmeyer, Sr. (19 app, 24.1 IP, 4.81 ERA, 1.73 WHIP)

  • RHP Ben Plumley, R-So. (19 app, 28.1 IP, 5.08 ERA, 1.45 WHIP)

  • Closer: RHP Joe Glassey, R-Sr. (21 app, 5.04 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 7 sv)

# 5 Iowa (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 5.06]

  1. RHP Brody Brecht, Jr. (4-3, 3.55 ERA)

  2. LHP Cade Obermueller, So. (4-3, 4.12 ERA)

  3. RHP Anthony Watts, So. (2-1, 3.46 ERA)

# 5 Iowa (In the Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 6.36]

  • RHP Jack Young, Sr. (27 app, 2.61 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 4 sv)

  • RHP Aaron Savary, So. (18 app [16 relief], 38.2 IP, 4.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP)

  • LHP Benjamin DeTaeye, R-Sr. (18 app, 4.94 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 4 sv)

# 4 Michigan (Starters) [Weekend Starter ERA: 6.34]

  1. RHP Kurt Barr, So. (5-3, 3.52 ERA)

  2. RHP Chase Allen, Sr. (3-3, 7.35 ERA)

  3. RHP Dylan Vigue, Fr. (2-4, 7.95 ERA)

# 4 Michigan (In The Bullpen) [Weekend Bullpen ERA: 6.02]

  • LHP Jacob Denner, Gr. (26 app [22 relief], 3.91 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 4 sv)

  • RHP Brandon Mann, So. (16 app [15 relief], 18.1 IP, 3.93 ERA, 1.85 WHIP)

  • RHP Ricky Kidd, Jr. (23 app [21 relief], 37.2 IP, 5.73 ERA, 3 sv)


Top Hitters/Runners

# 8 Penn State (7.33|2.67|15.00 Runs per Game)

  • DH/C JT Marr, Gr. (.419 avg, 6 hr, 49 rbi)

  • RF Adam Cecere, Gr. (.655 slugging pct, 15 hr, 47 rbi)

  • 3B Bryce Molinaro, R-Fr. (.325 avg, 10 hr, 40 rbi)

# 1 Illinois (6.67|7.67|12.00 Runs per Game)

  • C/DH Camden Janik, Jr. (.370 avg, 7 hr, 47 rbi)

  • RF Ryan Moerman, Jr. (.265 avg, 18 hr, 52 rbi)

  • 1B Drake Westcott, R-Jr. (.280 avg, 16 hr, 49 rbi)

# 5 Iowa (3.33|11.33|8.33 Runs per Game)

  • 3B Raider Tello, R-Jr. (.370 avg, 7 hr, 60 rbi)

  • 1B/OF Andy Nelson, Sr. (.340 avg, 9 hr, 44 rbi)

  • CF Kyle Huckstorf, R-Sr. (.311 avg, .398 obp, 13-14 sb/att)

# 4 Michigan (1.67|5.67|7.33 Runs per Game)

  • 2B Mack Timbrook, Gr. (.306 avg, 3 hr, 29 rbi)

  • LF/RF Stephen Hrustich, Gr. (.612 slugging pct, 15 hr, 43 rbi)

  • 1B/RF/RHP Mitch Voit, So. (.280 avg, 11 hr, 40 rbi)


Quick Picks: Expert Analysis

# 8 Penn State vs. # 1 Illinois

Bryan: Illinois brings the long ball to Omaha, but the long ball will need to carry for them to succeed. The Nittany Lions are on a four-game conference win streak, and now I think they'll take over when they need to in a high-scoring game. Penn State 9, Illinois 7.

# 5 Iowa at # 4 Michigan

Bryan: The Hawkeyes' skill set on the diamond is the same as that on the gridiron: half-decent offense, shutdown defense. The Wolverines' experience and clutch offense is what I think will propel them to a defensive victory. Michigan 5, Iowa 3.

Bracket 2 Representative

Michigan and Iowa each have subpar offenses, and Penn State and Illinois are playing with heart. With that being said, I think the Wolverines--the most battle-tested, experienced team--will get to the Big Ten Championship. Representative Pick: # 4 Michigan

 
 
 

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