Penn State Baseball Weekly Summer Report (Week of June 30-July 6)

This week of summer ball saw some players finish their seasons. The rotation grabbed another key piece in the transfer portal. Plus, the offense had their share of struggles during the seven-day stretch. For the biggest storylines of the week and player honors, read below.

Fitzgerald Confirms Commitment Rumors on Social Media

Former Maine right-handed pitcher Colin Fitzgerald had his commitment to Penn State from the transfer portal announced by PAC-Hub–a college baseball recruiting site–on Monday night, but it was the X post on Tuesday morning from Fitzgerald that sealed the deal. The Lititz, PA product should prove to be a huge addition in the starting rotation conversation, being Maine’s “ace” last season. His pitch arsenal will also be a big help for the Nittany Lions, sporting a low-to-mid-90s fastball with a sinker-slider-curveball-changeup combo to boot.

Voss Leaves Mallards Following Solid First Half

Catcher Nate Voss finished his tenure with the Madison Mallards following the conclusion of the first half of the Northwoods League season, per the official league website. Voss posted a .278 batting average in 79 at-bats, showing a significant hitting bump from the spring when he batted .245 in 139 countable trips to the plate. Despite having low power numbers–hitting only two home runs–his speed saw an improvement with three steals.

VanOstenbridge Concludes Vineyard Summer Campaign

Rising sophomore left-handed pitcher Matthew VanOstenbridge is now not on the active roster for the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks of the NECBL after a few dormant weeks. He had a 9.00 earned run average over six innings of work, and his two starts saw his skillset being tested. Though in the mix for the starting rotation next season, the pressure is now on for VanOstenbridge to have an impressive fall campaign to stay there.

Hitting Troubles on Display in Summer Leagues

It wasn’t the best of stretches for Penn State hitters marked by low numbers all around. The Nittany Lion bats went 8-for-56 (.143 batting average) all across summer competitions this week. Out of nine batters, only three recorded runs batted in, with infielders Preston Yaucher and catcher Avery Smith each picking up one.

Player of the Week: C Avery Smith

In a week that saw some lackluster plate appearances from the Nittany Lion bats, Smith stepped up, going 3-for-8 in his at-bats. Smith drove in a run for the Burlington Sock Puppets of the Appalachian League with a multi-hit game against the Johnson City Doughboys on Saturday. Fighting for playing time in a crowded catcher room, this week allowed him to stand out early on.

Pitcher of the Week: RHP Carson Renner

Renner went back-to-back with weekly honors thanks to recording a save in his lone appearance against the Danbury Westerners on Friday. That now bumps him up to four in the summer, tying future teammate Kyle Emmons for the Bristol Blues lead. With the bullpen stacking up for the spring, Renner’s summer successes will look to carry over.

Question of the Week: Could Lyndon Glidewell choose Happy Valley?

The transfer portal player sweepstakes have been moving from individual to individual as the window soon comes to a close. Next up on that list is former Austin Peay right-handed pitcher Lyndon Glidewell, a Second Team All-ASUN selection this past spring and a solid rotation piece. The Huntington Beach, CA product played for Orange Coast College alongside current Penn State bullpen piece Dimond Loosli in 2024, hinting at a possible reunion in State College.