Penn State beats UNC Wilmington in finale, avoids series sweep

Penn State baseball rallied behind solid pitching to defeat UNC Wilmington 5-4 in the last of a three-game series on Monday afternoon.

The win helped Penn State (3-7) avoid a series sweep by the Seahawks and broke a six-game losing streak.

Two freshmen spurred the Nittany Lions’ effort. Third baseman Willie Burger drove in four runs while right-hander Justin Hagenman pitched a no-hitter through six innings (facing the minimum through five) before giving up four runs in the bottom of the sixth. None of Hagenman’s runs were earned, and he gave up just five hits and two walks alongside two strikeouts to tally a 0.93 ERA in his first three collegiate starts.

Senior closer Jack Anderson finished the game on the mound, ceding just two hits and striking out three batters to earn the save, the 14th of his career.

Penn State started out scoring in the first inning after Burger drove in right fielder Nick Riotto. Penn State tacked on four more runs in the fifth frame after shortstop Jim Haley sent in first baseman Christian Helsel. Burger hit a triple to plate three more runs.

Two defensive errors helped UNCW cut their deficit to just one run in the sixth inning, but Anderson held the Seahawks scoreless through the final frames.

Penn State will travel to Durham, N.C. to face Duke on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 9:16 PM with the headline "Penn State beats UNC Wilmington in finale, avoids series sweep."