ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Penn State baseball team earned a 12-5 win in the series opener at Michigan on Friday afternoon at Ray Fisher Stadium. The Nittany Lions broke up the game open with six runs in the sixth. Bryce Molinaro, Cole Wagner and Ryan Weingartner all homered in the victory. Penn State improved to 17-8 overall (6-4 Big Ten), while Michigan dropped to 13-12 overall (5-5 Big Ten).

Penn State tallied 10+ runs for the 15th time this season and the sixth time against a Big Ten opponent. In program history, PSU has posted 15 games of 10+ runs in a season on five previous occasions (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2024).

Ryan DeSanto made his seventh start of the year for the Nittany Lions, tossing 5.2 innings. He gave up five runs on six hits and walked three batters. DeSanto gave up two runs through his first five innings before allowing a three-run double in the sixth. He retired seven-straight batters between the third and fifth innings.

Dimond Loosli fired 2.1 shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out one. Chase Renner threw a perfect ninth inning and struck out two.

PSU’s defense helped out its pitchers with four double plays in the game, including three ground ball double plays.

David Lally Jr. got the start for Michigan, going five innings. He allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits. Lally recorded five strikeouts and a walk. Josh Kasner allowed both batters he faced to reach and score. Cade Connolly went one-third of an inning and gave up two runs. Preston Barr went 1.2 innings, allowing two runs. Keegan O’Hearn threw two-thirds of an inning and gave up a run. Ricky Kidd finished the eighth with a strikeout. Brandon Newland threw a scoreless ninth inning.

The Nittany Lions notched 12 runs on 11 hits and eight walks. Cole Wagner collected three hits, including a double and a solo homer, and scored three times. Ryan Weingartner contributed a two-run double and a solo homer. Bryce Molinaro launched a three-run homer among two hits and scored twice.

Michigan recorded five runs on 10 hits. Colby Turner secured three hits, including a double, and scored two runs. Jeter Ybarra registered two hits and drove in two runs. Joe Longo added a three-run double.

The Wolverines got on the board in the first. Benny Casillas led off the inning with a single to left. After Mitch Voit reached on a fielder’s choice, Turner lined a double to left to put runners on second and third. After Cole Caruso was hit by a pitch, Ybarra singled to right to drive in Voit and Turner. Michigan led 2-0.

Penn State answered with three runs in the second. Molinaro reached on an error to begin the frame. Two batters later, Wagner lined a double down the line in right to put runners on first and second. Jesse Jaconski followed with a double to the left-center gap to drive in Molinaro and Wagner. A single to center by Cohl Mercado brought in Jaconski to put PSU ahead, 3-2.

The Nittany Lions added to their lead in the fourth. Leading off the inning, Wagner launched a 2-2 pitch over the wall in right. The 385-foot blast extended PSU’s lead to 4-2.

Penn State plated a run in the fifth, again on a leadoff homer. Weingartner hammered a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left. After the 357-foot dinger, PSU held a 5-4 lead.

The Nittany Lions exploded for six runs in the sixth. Wagner shot a grounder through the left side for a leadoff single. Jesse Jaconski worked a walk before a walk by Mercado loaded the bases. Weingartner ripped a double to the left-center gap to bring in Wagner and Jaconski. A sac fly to left by Paxton Kling drove in Mercado. Following a walk by Joe Jaconski, Molinaro blasted an 0-1 pitch over the right-center wall. Molinaro’s three-run shot went 383 feet and put PSU up 11-2.

Michigan scored three runs in the sixth. Turner started the inning with a single to left. A single by Ybarra and a hit-by-pitch by Robert Hamchuck loaded the bases. A line drive to right by Longo was ruled fair and went into the right-field corner for a double as all three runners scored. PSU still led, 11-5.

Penn State added a run in the eighth. Mercado began the frame with a walk. Joe Jaconski and Molinaro worked walks to load the bases. After a pitching change, Jack Porter held off on a 3-1 pitch for a walk to bring in Mercado. PSU extended its lead to 12-5.

The Nittany Lions continue the series against Michigan on Saturday at 2 p.m. and concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on B1G+.

All home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park are free admission for all ages.

The 2025 Penn State Baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.