Preview: Penn State Nittany Lions at Texas Tech Red Raiders

LUBBOCK, Texas (Interstat) — The Penn State Nittany Lions look to even their weekend series against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday afternoon at Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. under clear skies with a game-time temperature near 80 degrees.

The Red Raiders (7-4) took the series opener Friday, shutting out the Nittany Lions. Penn State (4-6) will aim to rebound behind the hot bat of designated hitter Michael Anderson. Anderson is coming off a historic performance in Wednesday’s 12-2 win over Saint John’s, where he went 3 for 4 with two home runs and seven RBIs. For the season, he leads the team with four homers and 11 RBIs while also making two scoreless relief appearances.

Texas Tech counters with power-hitting first baseman Robin Villeneuve. He went 3 for 4 with two homers and three RBIs in the Red Raiders’ most recent game, a 15-8 loss to Cal State Bakersfield on March 1. Villeneuve has three home runs and eight RBIs over his last seven games.

Penn State has struggled for consistency, alternating wins and losses over its last six games following a 1-3 start. Texas Tech had a six-game winning streak snapped in that high-scoring loss to Bakersfield.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-4 victory for Texas Tech.

This is the second game of a two-game set. The teams will not meet again in the regular season after Sunday’s finale.

Probable Starters (unofficial): Penn State’s starter is to be announced. Texas Tech’s starter is to be announced.

Up Next: The series concludes Sunday afternoon. Penn State then travels to face Georgetown for a two-game midweek set. Texas Tech hosts Texas-San Antonio for two games beginning Tuesday.