Penn State Baseball - Slaughter Joseph/Onward State
The Penn State baseball team still has one more series to go. The Nittany Lions will be facing Maryland for one last series in the Big Ten. Penn State may not have the strongest college baseball team, currently ranked 11th in the Big Ten. Here is a close look at the remaining schedule for Penn State baseball in 2023.
Penn State Baseball’s Final Series
The final series for the Nittany Lions will be against Maryland. The games will be held at University Park at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Penn State has been swept in their last two series against Rutgers and Nebraska. Maryland will not make it easy on the Nittany Lions either.
Maryland is currently in second place in the Big Ten. Indiana is in first, but both teams have a 15-6 conference record. They also have a 7-2 away record, which means that just because the game will be held in University Park does not mean Maryland will struggle.
Big Ten Tournament Implications
The Penn State baseball team will be officially ending their season following this series against Maryland. As stated, the Nittany Lions are in 11th and the Big Ten Tournament takes eight teams. The team that is currently in 8th place is Michigan State, which has a 10-11 record.
While the Nittany Lions cannot make the tournament, they can still try to make an impact. If Penn State somehow manages to pull the upset and win the series, it can affect where Maryland sits in the tournament. Maryland is in 2nd with a 15-6 conference record. The two teams below them are Iowa and Rutgers. Both those teams have 13 wins. If Penn State manages to win the series, Rutgers and Iowa can catch up.
Of course, the question is why bother? To mess up another Big Ten opponent when the Nittany Lions have nothing to lose would be worth it. Why would they not want to end the season in a way that still has meaning? It would be entertaining and better for the program.
The Penn State baseball season may not be the university’s top program, but they will still want it to grow. Of course, the University is still a top school for athletics, but winning the final series could bring in recruits. If the Nittany Lions can defeat the number two Maryland, recruits will see they can beat the best. Potential recruits will also see that the team will continue to win even when they do not have to.
The series against Maryland will take place from May 18th to May 20th.
