The Penn State Nittany Lions had a cold reality check, losing the home series to USC last weekend. Here are the biggest storylines from last week.
DeSanto shoves in Friday duel
Left-handed pitcher Ryan DeSanto has continued to be the Nittany Lions' top rotation piece, and he showed why in the 3-1 win on Friday. DeSanto pitched a season-high seven innings on the mound, striking out seven batters and allowing one earned run due to a bases-loaded walk in the top of the third inning. With the win, he now has the lowest opponent batting average in the Big Ten with .178 in nine starts this season.
Doing too little and doing too much
The Penn State bats continued having great discipline at the plate last weekend, drawing 17 walks with 10 of them being in the 11-6 loss on Sunday. The Nittany Lions now have 177 walks at the plate this season, which is the eighth-highest in the Big Ten. On the other hand, Penn State struck out 28 times last weekend, going down swinging 23 times.
Bubble starting to burst
Penn State's series against USC last weekend looked to have major implications in the NCAA Field of 64 bubble, as both teams were floating near that line heading into Friday. USC was a projected three seed in last Wednesday's Baseball America Field of 64, and Penn State was in need of a signature series win. With Cincinnati taking the series over projected two-seed Arizona State last weekend, the Nittany Lions' postseason hopes are beginning to slip away.
Program record tracker: Stolen bases
Shortstop Ryan Weingartner is chasing history as he is now only five stolen bases away from the Penn State baseball program's single-season record of 27 held by second baseman Kyle Hannon in 2023. Penn State is also closing in on a team record on the base baths as they are 11 stolen bases away from the single-season record of 91 held in 2000.