Penn State Baseball Weekly Summer Report (Week of June 9-15)

The Nittany Lions had another great week of summer ball from its returners. Their first transfer portal newcomer may be a familiar face to some fans. Plus, two rising freshmen saw their first action in the Appalachian League this week. For the biggest storylines of the week and player honors, read below.

Nittany Lions Kick Off Transfer Class With Rival Newcomer

Former West Virginia infielder Spencer Barnett was the first domino to fall into the transfer portal for the Nittany Lions, announcing his transfer to Penn State on Friday. Barnett is a rising junior and Pittsburgh native whose top attribute is his versatility in the infield, as he has played all four positions in his two-year career at some point. Fans may recall the impact he made when he came to Happy Valley on April 22, as his two-run home run to deep right field was the only scoring for the Mountaineers in a 3 to 2 loss to the Nittany Lions.

Yaucher, Smith Kick Off Summer Ball in Burlington

Two rising Penn State freshmen have been gifted the ability to build team chemistry before even setting foot on campus as infielder Preston Yaucher and catcher Avery Smith had their first full week of games for the Burlington Sock Puppets of the Appalachian League this week. Yaucher had six runs batted in this week and threw out a runner at home to Smith in a 7 to 4 loss to the Danville Otterbots last Sunday. While both players are currently hitting under the Mendoza line on the season so far, Smith’s efforts behind the plate have made the most impact with four runners caught stealing.

Jaconski, VanOstenbridge Struggle Early in the NECBL

Left fielder Jesse Jaconski and left-handed pitcher Matthew VanOstenbridge have had trouble adjusting to the grind of the NECBL in the young season following a heartbreaker in Omaha. Jaconski has maintained a tough .179 batting average in nine games with the North Shore Navigators, and he has been subbed out in some contests during his ongoing slump. VanOstenbridge had a bumpy outing last Monday, allowing five earned runs in three innings and making for a 9.00 earned run average in two starts this summer for the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks.

Molinaro Ready to Showcase Skills in the Cape

After hitting a team-high 61 runs batted in this spring, third baseman Bryce Molinaro has made it to the upper echelon of summer collegiate baseball in the Cape Cod League. Molinaro will be playing for the Bourne Braves this summer, being stationed alongside former Golden Spikes Award candidate Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron. Despite an 0-for-5 outing on Opening Night last Saturday against the Harwich Mariners, it’s clear that the only way for him to go is up, as the pressure mounts.

Player of the Week: C Nate Voss

Voss has had his presence felt for the Madison Mallards so far this year, but this week especially he had a stellar time at the plate. Sporting a .389 batting average in five games this week, he was riding a five-game win streak going into last Sunday and recorded a hit in four games. The highlight of the week for the rising senior was his go-ahead two-run home run to propel the Mallards to a 6 to 2 win over the Rockford Rivets last Monday.

Pitcher of the Week: RHP Skip Shenosky

In a week that saw Nittany Lion arms get limited action, Shenosky shined in his lone relief outing. The right-handed pitcher picked up two scoreless innings during his bullpen appearance and maintained a 0.00 earned run average through his two appearances this season for the Keene Swamp Bats. Striking out a batter and walking one, Shenosky helped keep the Vermont Mountaineer bats at bay in a 4 to 1 win last Sunday.

Question of the Week: Who’s next in the transfer portal?

The transfer portal has been used to head coach Mike Gambino’s advantage in the last two seasons, but through the first two weeks of the summer window, it’s been mostly quiet in Happy Valley. Penn State is still looking for a first baseman, a third outfielder and a starting pitcher for next year, as some players have graduated and some may look to be selected in the upcoming MLB Draft during the weekend of July 13-14. Be on the lookout for JUCO product first baseman Nick Slogik, Seton Hall outfielder Aiden Robbins, as well as St. Joseph’s left-handed pitcher and Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year Colton Book in the coming days and weeks for potential commitment announcements.