Penn State Baseball Stuns Big Ten: Last-Inning Heroics Propel Nittany Lions to Historic Upset

Penn State baseball is surging at exactly the right time, riding a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s Big Ten Tournament semifinal against Nebraska at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. First-year head coach Mike Gambino has the Nittany Lions one victory away from their first conference title-game appearance since 2000, and the national spotlight has followed. Momentum built early in the week when junior right-hander Ryan DeSanto scattered six hits over seven innings to secure a 5-3 opening-round win versus Washington. The offense stayed hot 24 hours later, plating seven runs in the first three frames to knock off USC and advance to the semifinal bracket. Key storylines to watch Saturday • Clash of familiar foes Nebraska stunned top-seeded Oregon on Friday, setting up a rematch of last season’s quarterfinal thriller that PSU won 6-5 in extra innings. • Ace on short rest? Gambino hinted DeSanto could be available out of the bullpen, while sophomore lefty Caleb Marsh (3.21 ERA) lines up for the start. • Bats catching fire Junior outfielder Paxton Kling is 7-for-12 in Omaha, and freshman slugger Jalen Fields launched his 14th homer Thursday, tying the single-season program record. What’s at stake A semifinal win secures a spot in Sunday’s Big Ten Championship and positions Penn State (32-23) for its first NCAA Regional berth since 2012. The Lions entered the week No. 58 in the RPI, but consecutive victories over top-50 opponents have propelled them firmly onto the national radar for an at-large bid should they fall short of the automatic qualifier. How to watch First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. ET Saturday on Big Ten Network, with streaming on the FOX Sports app. Fans traveling to Omaha can purchase general-admission seats starting at $20, while the Penn State Alumni Association will host a pre-game tailgate outside Gate 3 beginning at 4 p.m. Outlook With a deep bullpen anchored by closer Mason Ortiz (0.98 ERA) and an offense averaging 7.1 runs over its last 10 contests, Penn State baseball has transformed from preseason dark horse to legitimate Big Ten contender. Win or lose this weekend, Gambino’s debut campaign has re-energized the program—and the Nittany Lions now control a postseason destiny that once seemed out of reach.