Penn State Looks to Ride Hot Bats Into Lubbock Against Texas Tech

LUBBOCK, Texas (Interstat) — The Penn State Nittany Lions, fresh off an offensive outburst, will face the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a nonconference baseball series opener Friday at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local time under cloudy skies with a temperature near 71 degrees.

Penn State (4-6) enters having snapped a three-game skid with a 12-2 rout of Saint John’s on Wednesday. The Nittany Lions’ offense was powered by designated hitter Michael Anderson, who went 3 for 4 with two home runs and seven RBIs in the win.

Anderson is the key catalyst for Penn State, batting .333 (7 for 21) with four homers and 11 RBIs over his last seven games. He also has made two scoreless relief appearances on the mound this season.

Texas Tech (7-4) aims to bounce back after a 15-8 loss to Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday. The Red Raiders had won five straight prior to that defeat.

First baseman Robin Villeneuve provides power in the middle of the Texas Tech lineup. He is 7 for 25 (.280) with three home runs and seven RBIs over his last eight contests, including a 3-for-4, two-homer performance in the recent loss.

The Red Raiders have been strong at home, going 6-1 in Lubbock this season. Penn State is 1-3 in true road games.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Texas Tech is projected to win 7-3.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday before both teams embark on extended road stretches. Penn State travels to Georgetown next week, while Texas Tech hosts Texas-San Antonio before opening Big 12 play against Kansas.