The Penn State Nittany Lions kicked off the 2025 campaign in Caguas, Puerto Rico, garnering wins over Missouri and UConn with an 8-4 loss to Stetson. However, in the Nittany Lion's lone defeat, a foul ball from Penn State junior Ryan Weingartner was a few feet away from fair territory that would have tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Here are the biggest storylines from opening week.
Horwat gets handed the reins
Sophomore righthander Mason Horwat starred in his first game as an official Friday starter, pitching five shutout innings against Missouri. He racked up a career-high seven strikeouts and threw 46 strikes through 75 pitches. His highlight of the Friday game was striking out Tiger catcher Mateo Serna and forcing a fielder's choice to escape a bases-loaded jam in the top of the third inning. After playing a long reliever role in 2024, Horwat has found his spot at the top of the rotation.
Long ball keys victories over Tigers, Huskies
Catcher Matt Maloney hit the first home run of the season against Missouri for the Nittany Lions after he only hit two the year before. Centerfielder Paxton Kling and first baseman Cole Wagner followed up his home run with two-run home runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning.
On Sunday, two more Nittany Lion bats mashed homers, shortstop Ryan Weingartner and second baseman Joe Jaconski in the first and second innings respectively. Weingartner hit a solo home run, which gave him some redemption after hitting a close foul ball in the bottom of the ninth inning against Stetson. As for Jaconski, it was his first home run since May 25 against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament.
Kling plays hero in win over UConn
The highlight of the weekend was in the form of a running and sliding catch by LSU transfer centerfielder Paxton Kling. His catch was the final out in a close win over UConn on Sunday night. The centerfielder ended up going 2-for-4 offensively in the victory and drew a walk.
Molinaro hitting streak cut short at 20
Third baseman Bryce Molinaro carried an 18-game hitting streak into the 2025 season, however after going 0-for-2 against UConn, he is ready to start anew. During the 20-game hitting streak, Molinaro batted .358, hitting 29-for-81 against mainly Big Ten competition.