UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No team in Big Ten baseball had a bigger turnaround than Penn State did during the second half of the regular season.

Through 17 games, the Nittany Lions found themselves in a 3-14 hole before coming home on March 21.  Since April 1, Penn State has been on a tear, winning six consecutive Big Ten series en route to a 22-7 record down the stretch.

Aside from Big Ten regular season champion Purdue (41-12), Penn State enters this week's Big Ten Baseball Tournament as the hottest team in the conference.

The Nittany Lions (29-25, 15-9) open play in Columbus on Wednesday afternoon (3:35 p.m. on BTN) as the No. 3 seed against sixth-seeded Ohio State (31-25, 11-13).  Penn State took two out of three games against the Buckeyes at Medlar Field in April.  The Lions' two victories were both dramatic one-run decisions.

Senior slugger Jordan Steranka leads the Lions into the Big Ten Tournament with a red-hot bat.  The Pittsburgh native finished the regular season batting .362 with 11 homeruns and 39 RBI with a slugging percentage of .615.  He and fellow senior Sean Deegan finished tied for second in the Big Ten homerun race.  Steranka led the Big Ten in total bases (134), finished second in doubles (18), third in hits (79) and fifth in batting average (.362).

On the mound, sophomore left-handed starter Joe Kurrasch enters the postseason following a superb conference season.  The California product finished second in the conference in ERA (1.98).  Kurrasch made 15 appearances (10 starts) and finished with a 4-2 record.  For the season, Kurrasch's opponents hit just .219 against the lefty.  In Big Ten play, his numbers were even better.  Kurrasch went 3-1 with a 1.71 ERA in eight conference starts.  His Big Ten opponents managed just a .213 average against him.

The Big Ten Tournament is double elimination.  Should the Nittany Lions move past Ohio State on Wednesday, they would play second-seeded Indiana.  Indiana defeated Penn State in two of the three games during the regular season series in March at Medlar Field.  If the Lions drop their opening game, they would meet the loser of the first round matchup between Michigan State and Nebraska.  Penn State defeated Michigan State in two out of three meetings over the weekend.  The Lions did not play Nebraska this season.

Penn State has the potential to be a very dangerous team in the postseason with its power in the lineup.  Deegan, Steranka and fellow senior Joey DeBernardis have accounted for 30 of Penn State's 37 homeruns in 2012.  Keep an eye on the veteran trio in Columbus this week.

On the mound, Kurrasch and junior Steven Hill will start Penn State's first two games.  Kurrasch's numbers speak for themselves.  Hill, who tossed a no-hitter at Iowa on April 21, enters the postseason with a 3.54 ERA and a 5-3 record.

The Nittany Lions have the tools to make a run in the Big Ten Tournament, but anything can happen on a baseball diamond in the postseason.  Follow the action beginning Wednesday when the Lions open competition with the Buckeyes.


Follow GoPSUsports.com Media Specialist Tony Mancuso on Twitter @GoPSUTony

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - After a three-game sweep of Illinois last weekend, the Penn State baseball team (27-24, 13-8 Big Ten) made a statement in the Big Ten standings and have all but clinched a birth in the 2012 conference tournament.

The wins against the Illini featured some of the best baseball the Nittany Lions have played all season including strong pitching from both the starters as well as the relievers along with clutch hitting throughout the batting order.  It was Penn State's fifth straight conference series win, an accomplishment never before achieved in the program's history.

All three games were decided by two runs or less.  When the offense struggled, the defense held the opposing team at bay and when pitching gave up runs, the batters were there to respond.  Consistent, aggressive play from the seniors also was crucial in the sweep as senior first baseman Jordan Steranka led the way, going 6-11 with two homeruns and three RBIs over the weekend.  The performance earned Steranka Big Ten player of the week.

Balance between hitting and pitching will be key for the Nittany Lions moving forward as the weekend sweep of Illinois clinched a birth for Penn State in the Big Ten tournament thanks to Nebraska's three-game sweep of Minnesota.

With Minnesota in seventh place at 10-11, even if the Nittany Lions were swept by Michigan State in their last conference series and the Golden Gophers were able to win all of their games against Illinois, Penn State would take the tiebreaker after it took two out of three games from Minnesota earlier in the year.

Currently, the Nittany Lions have their sights on a different goal as the top two teams in the Big Ten have a first-round by in the tournament.  They are tied for second with Indiana in the standings with three teams just two games or less behind them.

Penn State will play a three-game series at Michigan State to end the season.  Though they are guaranteed a spot in the tournament, the players are hungry for more.

Penn State Big Ten Series Schedule:

Penn State Big Ten Series Schedule:

By Jeff Sattora, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Earlier this year "struggling" would have been a very accurate word to help describe the Penn State baseball season.  Lately however, they have been anything but. 

Following a 3-14 start to the season things were looking bleak in Happy Valley.  But, fortunately for Nittany Lion fans no one told the team, and especially the seniors, that they were supposed to go down that way. 

Since that 3-14 start the team has been rolling, going 24-10 to bring its overall record to 27-24, good for a tie for second place in the conference. 

The latest victim for the Nittany Lions was the Illinois Fighting Illini, who Penn State took down in a huge three game series this past weekend, winning all three games at home. 

Not only was the three game sweep special for the Nittany Lions in the standings, it had even more meaning for the seniors, as it was their final home series, including Senior Day Sunday afternoon.

For head coach Robbie Wine the struggles early on helped the team get to where they are now.

"When you struggle early in the year you have to re-evaluate things," Wine said.  "The credit goes to the guys for making the adjustments and committing to the plan and sticking with it."

Making adjustments were huge all weekend for the Lions vs. Illinois as they fell behind first in two of the three home games. 

While Friday the Lions kept a lead or tie the whole game, resulting in a 3-2 win, the rest of the weekend was not as easy. 

Saturday turned into a slugfest, with the Penn State seniors, particularly in the top of the lineup, shining through. 

After falling behind 3-0 in the first the Lions used four home runs by three seniors (two from Sean Deegan, one from Jordan Steranka, and one from Joey DeBernardis) to win a back and forth 8-6 ball game.  With all eight runs coming from those homers and that senior class. 

Sunday the senior moments continued on Senior Day as Steranka went 3-4 (and broke the Penn State total bases record) with Deegan and DeBernardis each banging in a hit and RBI.

For those seniors this weekend was truly a special one.

"It's been huge, it's kind of surreal right now, hasn't really set in yet," said Steranka on the senior weekend.  "These last three games Sean (Deegan) has played two great games, DeBo (DeBernardis) stepped up big-time, overall this team got behind us, supported us and we got the sweep."

"To go out sweeping a team my last home series, it's amazing," said DeBernardis.  Who also added just how much an honor this whole weekend experience, and playing for this program the last four years has been for him. 

For Coach Wine this senior group has been a special one in many ways. 

"This senior class has been awesome on and off the field," Wine said.  "It's something where I don't have to worry about these guys, they take care of their business in the classroom, they come to practice, and they work hard."

That hard work will have to continue for the Lions to make a run in the rest of the season and the Big Ten tournament, but it is something they are confident they will be able to do.

The team has won five straight Big Ten series, and they are not looking to stop now.

"Right now we think we can beat anybody," said Deegan following the sweep.  "And that's exactly how you want to feel."

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Seniors are the heart and soul of any collegiate athletic team and Penn State baseball is graduating six seniors this year who have been instrumental throughout their time as Nittany Lions.

These seniors have been around the game of college baseball for four years.  They know what it takes to win.  Their experience acts as a guide to younger players as they are embraced into the Penn State tradition.  Their contributions have come in many forms, both on and off the field.  This year's senior class is lead by senior first baseman Jordan Steranka.

Steranka was drafted by the Astros at the end of his junior year and elected to return to Happy Valley for his senior season.  He has fueled the fire on offense and is leading the team in batting average (.354), hits (68), RBIs (33) and is tied for the lead in homeruns (8) with his fellow senior Sean Deegan.

Playing baseball at the collegiate level taught Steranka a valuable lesson to go along with all of his accolades.  He has learned that to be successful in life, as in baseball, people need to put in the effort required to accomplish their goals.

"That experience of every game has just really made me learn about the game and more about life in general," said Steranka.  "You got to show up and give a hundred percent effort in anything you do."

In his four years as a Nittany Lion, Steranka has seen a number of different opponents, numerous dramatic victories and a rare no-hitter by junior Steven Hill at Iowa.  What means the most to him, through all of it, are the bonds he has formed with his fellow teammates and the adventures they've had together.

"I think most of all the relationships you form with the teammates and the older guys that have already graduated," said Steranka on what he will remember in his years as a Nittany Lion.  "There's been some big wins, some fun trips."

One player who has been a part of Steranka's journey from the very beginning is Sean Deegan.  Deegan has been a force to be reckoned with both in the outfield as well as at the plate.  Many of his eight homeruns have come when the team needed them most.  Whether Penn State needed a spark on offense or a game-winning three-run blast with two outs in the bottom of the tenth against Ohio State, Deegan has been more than happy to oblige.

Naturally, the homerun versus the Buckeyes is a moment the senior will never forget.  A picture taken by Deegan's friend of him throwing his helmet in the air as he approached home plate with his teammates ready to celebrate shows just how special the series-clenching hit was.

"Not only was it a huge moment for me personally, but everyone on the team looks ecstatic and just so happy in that one picture," said Deegan.  "It just shows what a team really is in one little moment."

The best piece of advice Deegan has for his teammates is to stay positive, even when you're in a slump, because every pitch represents a new opportunity.

"One thing that I would tell [the players] is that baseball is a game where you can never really get down on yourself," said Deegan.  "You can always get better and as bad as you think things are, you can always turn it around on the next pitch."

Sitting between Steranka and junior Steven Snyder at the top of the Nittany Lion batting order is senior Joey DeBernardis. With a team-high 14 doubles, accompanied by five homeruns, DeBernardis is another power hitter for opposing pitchers to fear.  To go along with his hitting prowess, DeBerdardis's fielding capabilities solidified the left side of the infield after he moved from first to third at the start of the year.

For DeBernardis, Penn State will always hold a place in his heart.  He has enjoyed his four years in college and is proud to be a Nittany Lion.

"Penn State's going to be in my life forever," said DeBernardis.  "I'm always going to quote on quote 'bleed blue.'  It's just been amazing and I wouldn't change one thing about my four years in college.

Representing the senior class on the mound is pitcher Mike Franklin.  Franklin has been Penn State's premier midweek starter this year and his performance in the home opener against Pittsburgh helped pull Penn State out of a 3-14 start to the season.  His weeknight performances set the tone for the Nittany Lions heading into the weekend series' versus Big Ten opponents.

"Franklin's been huge during midweek," said Steranka.  "He's one of those guys that you know he is going to go out there and pitch a great game and give you a chance to win."

Two unsung heroes in this year's graduating class are senior transfer Sean Parvin and former closer Ryan Ignas.  Parvin has been a key utility player for Penn State and his humorous personality defines the team's relaxed, optimistic culture on the field and in the locker room.

"Sean, he's a fun guy and keeps everything light-hearted in the locker room and Ignas helps out with the coaches during practices and everything," said Steranka.  "Those two guys especially have really helped a lot."

Ignas was Penn State's ace closer last year before suffering a season-ending injury that also kept him from the mound during 2012.  Losing him was devastating to a bullpen that needed a solid pitcher for the ninth inning.  Nevertheless, Ignas found his home as a coach-like figure for younger pitchers.  Despite his injury, he was there for his teammates every step of the way.

"(Ignas) is huge," said DeBernardis.  "He's been here for four years too, so those young pitchers they can go to him because he's been in those situations."

With the final home series against Illinois this weekend, the seniors prepare to bid farewell to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.  They hope to make a lasting impression on a school that has taught them well and fans that have supported them through all four years.

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State won its fourth straight conference series last weekend as they took two crucial games out of three from Minnesota, moving into a three-way tie for third place in the Big Ten.

Both starting pitching and the art of manufacturing runs have been huge for the Nittany Lions throughout conference play and the series against the Golden Gophers was no different.  All three weekend starters had strong outings and in the two victories the offense was able to come up with big hits when it mattered most.  Penn State moved to 10-8 in the Big Ten after beginning the year 2-4.

The season thus far has been defined by highs and lows as the Nittany Lions began their journey with a harsh 17-game away stretch where they went 3-14 followed by an opening 2-1 conference series loss to Indiana and a 2-1 series loss to Purdue the following weekend.  Since then Penn State has won four-straight Big Ten series and is 17-5 in its last 22 games.

The Lions have been sharp of late as the mid-season turnaround has seen everything from dramatic walk-off hits to a number of pitching gems including a no-hitter by junior Steven Hill at Iowa.  With the middle of the conference standings jumbled, Penn State has to play at a consistently high level to make the post season.

The top six teams in the Big Ten will compete in the conference tournament and with two games separating seven teams from second place, every win is vital.  Barring a late breakdown, Purdue has virtually secured first place, which means those seven teams (Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Ohio State, Nebraska and Illinois) are battling for the five remaining spots with Iowa, Michigan, and Northwestern barely hanging on at the bottom of the list.

The Nittany Lions have two more Big Ten series' left against Illinois and Michigan State, both of which are in the heat of the race.  As has been the case all year, pitching will be key.  Penn State's offense has been hot and cold, but the starting pitching has played consistently well for most of the season.  Each weekend starter has a sub-5.00 era, despite the rough start, and sophomore ace Joe Kurrasch boasts a dominant 2.06 era and a team-high 63 strikeouts.

Penn State looks to keep up the momentum this weekend as the team prepares for another important Big Ten series at home against the Illini.   It will be the last home stand for the Lions as the seniors say an emotional farewell to Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. 

Big Ten Standings Update:

***Note records do not include all mid-week games***

Penn State Big Ten Series Schedule:

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - With the series tied 1-1 and Penn State (22-22, 8-7 Big Ten) trailing by two runs with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, senior outfielder Sean Deegan took a high fastball and crushed a three-run walk-off homerun to give the Nittany Lions a key conference win, 8-7, over the Ohio State Buckeyes (24-20, 8-10 Big Ten).

"That's just something you dream about," said Deegan.  "You always dream about hitting that walk-off and throwing your helmet up and having your teammates mob you at the plate, so it's just unreal."

In a back and fourth game that featured eleven different pitchers over ten innings, both teams needed a win to stay in the race for the conference tournament at the end of the season.

"That game means a lot," said head coach Robbie Wine.  "That was a great series from start to finish and being a home team there was the key."

Nittany Lion starter John Walter had a good outing despite struggling with his command at times, going five and a third innings and allowing two runs on four hits and five walks with seven strikeouts.

The game was tied at two in the third inning when Penn State put up three runs on five hits to take a 5-2 lead.  With no outs, Junior Luis Montesinos hit a bases loaded two-run single down the first base line followed by an RBI groundout from freshman designated hitter J.J. White. 

The bullpen fought to hold the lead, but had a rough eighth inning in which four different relievers took the mound and allowed three runs on two hits, two hit batters and a walk, tying the game at five apiece.  Sophomore Greg Welsh entered the game and, with runners on first and second, recorded a strikeout to end the threat.  Seven pitchers were used in the eighth inning alone by both teams.

"They have to learn from every experience," said Coach Wine of his pitchers.  "Every time you step foot on the mound, learn something from it."

Welsh pitched strong through the ninth inning, but as the game entered extras, he lost his command in the 10th.  With two outs, runners on first and second, Welsh proceeded to walk the next three batters he faced to give the Buckeyes a 7-5 lead and all the momentum going into the bottom of the inning.

After two quick outs, freshman J.C. Coban and junior Elliot Searer both walked to keep the inning alive.  The fans, who had made their presence known throughout the game, rallied to support the Nittany Lions as Deegan stepped to the plate.  A wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, but it wouldn't matter as Deegan belted his sixth homerun of the season to hand Penn State a critical 2-1 series win.

"Going into this series 1-1, we really needed this game to put ourselves in a good position," said Deegan.  "We have our fate in our own hands from here on out."

Every conference win counts and the victory for Penn State (22-22, 8-7 Big Ten) moves them into a potential four-way tie for third place in the Big Ten standings with six teams making the tournament. The Nittany Lions look to ride this weekend's momentum into Minnesota where Penn State will play a three-game series against the Golden Gophers (26-19, 9-5 Big Ten), who are second place in the Big Ten.

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State baseball (21-22, 7-7 Big Ten) responded to its 4-1 Friday night loss to Ohio State (24-19, 8-9 Big Ten) with a dramatic 5-4 win on Saturday.

Trailing by one run in the bottom of the eighth, the Lions plated two runs, one on a wild pitch and a second on a balk, to score a crucial victory in a nine-inning back and fourth showdown, evening the pivotal conference series to one apiece.

Junior Steven Hill took the mound for the Nittany Lions, his first start since the no-hitter at Iowa.  Though it wasn't his best outing, Hill went strong through seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits.

Manufacturing runs was the name of the game for both teams as Ohio State got on the board early in the second after a single with runners on first and second gave the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead.

Penn State would respond in the bottom of the second when, with two outs, junior Luis Montesinos reached first on a walk, stole second, and was driven in by a base hit down the third base line from freshman designated hitter J.J. White.

After Ohio State broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth with a two-out RBI single, the Nittany Lions put together a two-run sixth on four hits.  Senior third baseman Joey DeBernardis sparked the rally with a double and scored on a single by senior first baseman Jordan Steranka.  With two outs, White singled to put runners on first and second for freshman catcher J.C. Coban, who ripped a single of his own to score Steranka and give Penn State the 3-2 lead.

"Playing a team like Ohio State with the Big Ten on the line and everything like that, it's just a bigger game and everyone comes out really ready to play their best," said White.  "We fought the entire game and it was a battle out there."

In the eighth, Ohio State put runners on first and third with nobody out and knocked Hill out of the game.  Junior Dave Walkling took the mound and battled to limit the Buckeyes to two runs on the inning.  Nevertheless, Penn State trailed 4-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

After White took his base on a hit-by-pitch to start the inning, Ohio State reliever David Fathalikhani walked the bases loaded on eight straight pitches.  The Buckeyes made a pitching change that would result in a wild pitch to tie the game at four and then a balk to give the Nittany Lions a 5-4 lead.

"That's baseball, you create your own breaks," said head coach Robbie Wine on the inning.  "You take advantage of some opportunities you have and last night they did and we didn't and tonight good things happened for us."

The drama continued in the ninth as Walkling returned to the mound and gave up a double to put the tying run on second with one out.  The runner then advanced to third on a tight groundout to shortstop Elliot Searer. With two outs, Walkling struck out the final batter of the game with three straight spectacular sliders.

"I'm starting to gain a lot of confidence knowing that I'm going to go in with a little bit of adversity and just in my mentality and my focus know I'm going to go in and throw strikes and have my other pitches working for me," said Walkling.  "It's worked out."

The rubber match to decide the series is slated for tomorrow at 1:05 p.m.  John Walter will have the start for the Nittany Lions as they try to win a key game three against rival Ohio State.

By Jeff Sattora, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State baseball struggled all night long and was never able to get in an offensive rhythm as they fell at home Friday night in the first game of a three game series 4-1 to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Nittany Lions got off to a strong start in the first on both the offensive and defensive side of the field.  Following a strong 1, 2, 3 inning for Penn State starter Joe Kurrasch, the offense was able to do damage of their own. 

With two outs in the first Joey DeBernardis was able to put a good mark on the ball to double and get things going.  That's when Jordan Steranka did his job in the batter's box as he singled to bring DeBernardis home and put the Lions up 1-0.

The Nittany Lions avoided major trouble in the second inning as the Buckeyes were able to load the bases with no outs due to a wild Joe Kurrasch.  Following a walk by Kurrasch bringing in a run to tie the game at one, the Penn State defense was able to get a line-out followed by a double play to get out of the inning safe. 

After the eventful first two innings this game turned into a pitcher's duel the rest of the way. 

Joe Kurrasch did solid work throughout the night for Penn State as he went six and two third innings of four hit ball, only allowing one run for the Buckeyes. 

The eighth inning is when offense finally broke through as Ohio State was able to pull together a two-out rally to put the Buckeyes up.  A two out single put Ohio State up one, then two bases loaded walks back to back gave the Buckeyes a 4-1 lead, which they never gave up.

The Lions were never able to get in a rhythm and come back due to a strong pitching performance by the Buckeyes Jarron Long, who went eight innings for the win.

Despite the tough loss the Nittany Lions know they have to come right back ready to go.

"Tomorrow is a new day," said Jordan Steranka following the loss.

"That was a good college ball game," added head coach Robbie Wine on a positive note.  "They stuck to their plan, we stuck to ours."

The Nittany Lions will get ready to face Ohio State twice more this weekend and bounce back with that plan as they will play tomorrow afternoon at 1:05 pm at Medlar Field, then again Sunday at the same time and place. 

By Jeff Sattora, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State baseball student season ticket holders got a chance to experience what it is like to play on Medlar Field, as the team held two open batting practice sessions in April.

The laid back environment gave fans a chance to interact with their student peers on the baseball team, and were events the whole team enjoyed.

"It was a great turnout," said Penn State starting pitcher John Walter at the first session.  "These are the kids who came to see us play Canisius or Indiana, they want to see us play no matter what and it's great opportunity to give something back to them."

The more than 40 fans at session one were split into three groups, with one group hitting while the other two stood out in the field and shagged fly balls and hits with the players. 

That time when the players were in the field with the fans was a great chance for them to interact with the students in attendance, something not lost on first baseman Jordan Steranka. 

"It's great meeting and interacting with our fans," Steranka said.  "It's nice getting face to face experiences with them and experiencing the action with them."

The event was not only something the players enjoyed, but a great time for the fans in attendance as well, who each got 10 swings of batting practice on the field. 

"It's a pretty cool event, especially with the players and everything out here today," said Tim Kovacs, a sophomore engineering major, who also added he's gotten a chance to interact with some of the players out in the field. 

"It's great," added Matt Carty, a sophomore education major.  "It's fun getting out there, interacting with the guys to see what they think about the season.  I think it's really cool."

Fans of the Nittany Lions will have their next chance to catch the team play at home on Friday, April 27 as the team takes on Ohio State at home at 6:05 pm.

By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - There are few special moments as memorable as the one Penn State junior pitcher Steven Hill experienced on Saturday, April 21 at Iowa.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Hill was one retired batter away from a feat rarely accomplished by a pitcher at any level of play: the no-hitter.

The count was one ball and one strike when Hill induced a ground ball to junior shortstop Elliot Searer, who, charging forward, plucked the ball from dirt, fired to first and sparked elated chaos beside the pitcher's mound.

"He just chopped it to short," Hill put it simply.  "Elliot made a great read on it because the kid was fast, he was left-handed, and threw him out and I went nuts."

It was the first no-hitter by a Nittany Lion since Nate Bump no-hit Duquesne in 1995 and the first ever thrown by a Penn Stater in Big Ten play.  The emotions coursing through Hill's mind were hard to put into words.

"Still haven't really found the right answer for it," said Hill.  "It's a great feeling and just looking back on it and all the things that could've gone wrong but didn't, it's just hard to believe."

Hill first noticed he was throwing a no-hitter in the fourth inning when he glanced at the scoreboard, as he often does, to check on his performance thus far.  The idea was distant at the time, but when the eighth inning rolled around, Hill realized the reality of the situation.

"It was a different kind of nervous in the eighth and ninth," said Hill  "It was just an excited, let's just get this over with, thing."

The defense had his back throughout the afternoon.  In the seventh inning, senior first baseman Jordan Steranka made a spectacular play on a sharp groundball down the line, flipping it to Hill for the out at first. 

Hill had a shaky moment in the eighth after he threw two pitches up in the zone that resulted in a mound visit by pitching coach Jason Bell, who told him that everything he had worked for led up to this moment.  As an experienced veteran, Hill knew what he needed to do.

"(The hitters) are feeling as much pressure as me to get a hit," said Hill.  "You just pitch your game at that point."

When Hill returned to the mound in the ninth, he knew his team was behind him.  With one out, Iowa's Mike McQuillan belted a ball deep to left field.  Hill was sure it was a double until senior outfielder Sean Deegan drifted back and made a tremendous catch.

"As soon as Deegan made that play on the ball, which I thought was a for sure double, I was like 'just execute your pitches,'" said Hill.

What makes it challenging for a pitcher to throw a complete game without allowing a hit, or even a run, is because the more a batter comes to the plate, the better he is able to adjust to each pitch.  The key to success is location and changing speeds to keep the hitters off balance.

"I like to think that they're still trying to figure me out," said Hill.  "Keep them as uncomfortable as possible and just have a good mix of off speed and a fastball, locating a fastball."

When the moment of truth arrived, Hill's accuracy and fastball-changeup combination gave him the advantage he needed to force a groundout and end the game.  As the ball flew from Searer's hand to Steranka's glove, the celebration ensued.

"I just threw the glove, just did like an Anchorman sort of leap and I was just ready to jump up and down with the guys," said Hill.

As the players converged, it was senior Joey DeBernardis who reached his pitcher first and embraced him.  The range of positive emotions that goes through a player's head at such a moment is virtually indescribable, but one thing is for certain: there is no feeling in the world quite like it.

"DeBo (DeBernardis) was the first and then everyone else was just mobbing," Hill recalled.  "It was like a laugh-cry.  Just never been so happy in my life playing a sport.  It doesn't compare to anything."

Hill loves Penn State and throwing a no-hitter in a Penn State uniform is something he will never forget.

"It means a lot," said Hill.  "This is just something that I can have forever and it means the most that it's in a Penn State uniform because I wouldn't have wanted to do it in any other one."

Later in the hotel room, Hill watched SportsCenter Top 10 plays with his roommate junior Cody Lewis, having been informed his no-hitter had made the cut.  He never thought his play would make it to number two on the list.

"We didn't expect it to be that high," laughed Hill.  "Then sure enough it was number two and we both just screamed and then there was silence as we watched the highlight happen and then we just bear hugged."

With the memory forever encased in the back of his mind, Hill is ready to go back to work on Saturday against Big Ten rival Ohio State.

"I just got to continue to do what I've been doing and that's throw strikes, get ahead of guys and get outs," said Hill.

Happy Valley has found a true champion in the Texas native and Hill's accomplishment epitomizes the Penn State slogan, Success With Honor.