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PSU is hanging around the Big Ten baseball race for first. (Photo: Mark Selders/PSU) |
Team | Record | Pct. | Record | Pct. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Purdue | 7-5 | .583 | 27-13 | .675 |
Michigan State | 7-5 | .583 | 24-12 | .667 |
Penn State | 7-5 | .583 | 24-13 | .649 |
4. Indiana | 6-6 | .500 | 25-15 | .625 |
Minnesota | 6-6 | .500 | 14-15 | .483 |
Ohio State | 6-6 | .500 | 16-18 | .471 |
Illinois | 6-6 | .500 | 14-21 | .400 |
Michigan | 6-6 | .500 | 13-25 | .361 |
9. Northwestern | 5-7 | .417 | 13-23 | .361 |
10. Iowa | 4-8 | .333 | 15-22 | .405 |
Purdue leads the conference in nearly every offensive category (even hit by pitch!), but Penn State has been close in some impressive areas. In home runs, the Nittany Lions (19 HR) trail Purdue (20 HR) by a slim margin. Penn State is also in the Big Ten top three in RBI, slugging pct, runs scored and doubles. But a glaring problem is that Penn State strikes out, a lot, leading the league.
If Michigan State (or anyone else) beats Purdue, especially winning a series vs the Boilers, it would be a major upset.
Penn State does, however, lead the league in ERA (3.52) and opponent batting average (.251), and is 2nd with only 303 runs allowed.
The next two weekends could make or break Penn State's shot at a regular season Big Ten baseball championship and top seed in the conference tournament. It starts with taking care of business against Michigan State this week, which is easier typed than done. Barring some sort of meltdown in the second half of this season, and with a little help from Michigan State against Purdue, Penn State should be in great shape heading into the Big Ten Tournament on Memorial Day weekend.
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