Sixth-inning rally leads Penn State over Pittsburgh

Posted March 27, 2024 | Article by Caitlin Brooks | Photo by Magdalen Chilcutt

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The third largest attendance that Medlar Field has seen in program history, 3,505, fell on a victorious Tuesday night against the in-state rival Pittsburgh Panthers. Penn State finished its first homestand of the season; winning over Pitt, 10-1. 

In its last series against Big Ten rival Michigan Wolverines, Penn State lost the series 2-1. Coach Mike Gambino admitted that they “didn’t play well four games in a row.” 

However, the final result against Pittsburgh was a complete turnaround from the weekend series versus Michigan. Penn State showed out by putting up 10 runs while holding Pitt to just one run on one hit. 

Mason Butash was on the bump to start for the Nittany Lions. Butash pitched four innings, gave up no runs or hits and had four strikeouts. 

Aside from the fact that Butash started out by having trouble with location and control in the first inning where he gave up three walks, there was good velocity from his pitches, including his fastball. 

It was a tight pitching matchup between the Nittany Lions and the Panthers to start the game, where the first run wasn’t scored until the bottom of the fourth. 

Once Pitt went to its bullpen after pulling starter Aidan Coleman, things turned completely in Penn State’s favor for the rest of the game. 

A wild sixth inning was the key to Penn State’s victory as the blue and white batted around the order in that inning, scoring seven runs on six hits and two walks. Pittsburgh ended up having to use three pitchers throughout the inning. 

Bryce Molinaro, J.T. Marr, Kyle Hannon and Grant Norris all contributed to that inning with hits and RBIs. 

“Pitchers go out there and execute their pitches. Offensive players go out there and get their job done… we all just click as a team,” Molinaro said. 

Adam Cecere had a standout performance for Penn State. Although he didn’t record any hits, he contributed to getting on base by working walks in all five of his at-bats. 

“One of them was a four-pitch walk, all the other ones were really good at-bats. Taking really good changeups down three different times,” head coach Gambino said. 

Penn State’s bullpen went to work after Butash was taken out, and all three pitchers contributed to limiting Pittsburgh to one hit, including Ben DeMell. DeMell had a strong outing in which he pitched three innings with no runs or hits and three strikeouts. 

“I kind of filled up the zone and just let it take care of itself with the defense behind me. I know there was a miscue there, but that happens. I know they’re going to make the next play,” DeMell said. 

Coach Gambino had high praises after reflecting on DeMell’s perfect outing, “That’s the kid’s stuff… We got a legit, bullpen-leverage type guy.” 

Looking ahead, coach Gambino seems to feel optimistic for the Nittany Lions’ next series against Big Ten opponent, Illinois. 

“If we play the brand of baseball that we’re capable of playing; do simple, play hard, play smart, have fun and compete. If we do those things, I feel really good about our chances of coming home to a win.” 

Next up for the Nittany Lions is a series starting in Illinois on Friday, March 29 at 7 p.m. 

Caitlyn Brooks is a first-year majoring in digital and print journalism. To contact her, email crb6283@psu.edu.