HOUSTON — The Penn State baseball team opened a three-game series against Houston Baptist on Friday with an offensive explosion in a 9-3 victory.

Taylor Skerpon belted a two-run home run, J.C. Coban was 5-for-5 and the Nittany Lions racked up 19 hits as a team with every batter picking up at least one hit.

A five-run fourth inning gave the Nittany Lions (4-8) a big lead, highlighted by a two-run double for Elliott Searer and an error bringing home two more runs.

T.J. Jann pitched 4 1/3 innings of relief for starter Dave Walking to earn the win.

The teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday.