UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After winning two out of three games in Ann Arbor over the weekend, the Nittany Lion baseball team punched a ticket for the Big Ten Baseball Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.

 

The Nittany Lions will kick off their first appearance in the conference tournament since 2008 against third-seeded Purdue on Wednesday afternoon at 3:35 p.m.  Let's take a look at some of Penn State's Big Ten Tournament history and what to expect this week at Huntington Park.

Big Ten Tournament History:

- Penn State will be making its ninth appearance in the Big Ten Tournament.  The Lions also participated in the postseason in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008.

 

- The Lions are 13-16 all-time in the Big Ten Tournament.

 

- Penn State has posted a 5-3 mark in Big Ten Tournament openers.

 

- The Nittany Lions have appeared in the championship game on three different occasions, including 2000, 2003 and 2007.

 

- By virtue of earning the No. 1 seed in 1996, Penn State hosted the Big Ten Tournament.

 

- Penn State is 0-1 all-time against its first round opponent, Purdue, in Big Ten Tournament competition.

Looking Ahead:

The Big Ten Tournament is a double elimination competition.  The tournament champion earns the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.  Penn State kicks things off against Purdue.  The Lions went 1-2 against the Boilers during the regular season in a three-game series at Medlar Field.

 

Should the Lions win on Wednesday, they will move on to face top-seeded Illinois on Thursday at 7:05 p.m.  Should Purdue advance, the Boilers would move on to face second-seeded Michigan State, while the Lions would play the loser of the No. 4 Ohio State-No. 5 Minnesota matchup on Thursday at 12:05 p.m.

 

The Lions won two out of three games against Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio State.  Michigan State swept Penn State earlier this season.  With the Nittany Lions' success against three out of the four potential second day opponents, there is an opportunity for Penn State to put together a run in Columbus.

 

 

2011 Big Ten Baseball Tournament Schedule:

Wednesday, May 25
Game 1: 12:05 p.m.: No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 5 Minnesota
Game 2: 3:35 p.m.: No. 3 Purdue vs. No. 6 Penn State

Thursday, May 26
Game 3: 12:05 p.m.: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 4: 3:35 p.m.: Highest Seed of Games 1 & 2 Winners vs. No. 2 Michigan State
Game 5: 7:05 p.m.: Lowest Seed of Games 1 & 2 Winners vs. No. 1 Illinois

Friday, May 27
Game 6: 12:05 p.m.: Winner Game 3 vs. Lowest Seed of Games 4 & 5 Losers#
Game 7: 3:35 p.m.: Winner Game 6 vs. Highest Seed of Games 4 & 5 Losers#
Game 8: 7:05 p.m.: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 4

Saturday, May 28
Game 9: 3:35 p.m.: Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8
Game 10: 7:05 p.m.: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9 (Championship Game)

Sunday, May 29 (If Necessary)*
Game 11: 12:05 p.m.: Winner Game 10 vs. Loser Game 10 (Second Championship Game)

 

# - Exception: if one of the Games 4 or 5 losers has already had a bye, that team will play in Game 6, regardless of seed.

* - If winner of Game 10 is also the winner of Game 9, Winner and Loser of Game 10 will play in an 11th game on Sunday

 

 

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