With the 2000s coming to a close, we took some time to look back on a decade of Penn State baseball's most memorable games. Five of the top games are highlighted below, and here's your chance to vote for your favorite memory. Think we missed a moment? Email Baseball Sports Information Director Justin Lafleur (jal47@psu.edu) with other nominations.
May 28, 2000
Penn State 6, North Carolina 5
Penn State 10, North Carolina 3
Following an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament, the Nittany Lions close out an impressive showing at the Upper Montclair Regional with two wins against North Carolina to advance to the Super Regionals in Austin, Texas. The NCAA Tournament appearance marks Penn State's first since 1976.
March 3, 2007
Penn State 3, #1 North Carolina 2
Penn State scores in the seventh and ninth innings to erase a 2-0 deficit and force extra innings, where they score in the 10th for the dramatic win over #1 nationally ranked and previously undefeated North Carolina. The Nittany Lions even the score at two behind a two-out ninth inning home run from Rob Yodice. Craig Clark pitches eight innings, allowing two runs on only four hits while Drew O'Neil tosses a hitless ninth and 10th for the victory. The win also marks head coach Robbie Wine's 50th of his career.
March 23, 2007
Penn State 8, Central Connecticut State 1; First Penn State game in Medlar Field at Lubrano Park
Penn State opens Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in fashion, dominating Central Connecticut State, 8-1. Craig Clark allows only one hit and an unearned run through eight strong innings. At the plate, Brian Ernst goes 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while Joe Blackburn finishes 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run.
May 25, 2007
Penn State 6, Michigan 5 (10 innings)
Penn State 6, Illinois 2
The Nittany Lions open the 2007 Big Ten Tournament with a win and loss on May 23 and 24, forcing them into a must-win situation on May 25. They start by topping host Michigan, who came in as the top seed. Cory Wine is the hero, hitting the go-ahead solo home run in the 10th inning to keep Penn State alive another game. They then go on to beat Illinois hours later in another win-or-go-home scenario.
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May 16, 2009
Penn State 10, #21 Minnesota 8
Down 8-5 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, Penn State bounces back with a run in the fifth, three in the sixth and one more in the seventh for a 10-8 lead, which would stand as the final. Calvin Grumley, Ryan Ignas and David Lutz combine to toss six shutout innings in relief for the memorable season-finale amidst two rain delays. In the process, the Nittany Lions prevent the Golden Gophers from the Big Ten Regular Season Championship, dropping them down to the second seed for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.
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