Baseball

Coming off a one-run loss, Penn State rebounded on the diamond in San Antonio with a 3-0 win over Nebraska-Omaha on Sunday.

With just eight combined hits through six-and-a-half innings, the Nittany Lions (3-6) and Mavericks (0-3) struggled to get anything going at the plate for the majority of the game.

Both starting pitchers spun gems for their respective clubs. Penn State’s Ryan Harper — the team’s “number one,” according to fellow hurler Steven Hill — went seven innings, surrendered just five hits and struck out two batters.

Mavericks’ starter Tyler Fox also performed well, tossing a two-hitter through five innings of work.

But the scoreboard finally ceased showing consecutive zeros as the Lions broke through after Fox was pulled.

Despite holding firm for one inning, Nebraska-Omaha reliever Marcus Ethen was taken advantage of for three runs in the seventh inning.

After Lions’ rightfielder Aaron Novak scored the game’s first run via a wild pitch, senior infielder Elliot Searer smacked a one-out double to score outfielder James Coates from first base.

Penn State picked up another run when an errant throw following a Taylor Skerpon single allowed Searer to advance home.

And despite facing a bases loaded situation in the eight inning, the Penn State bullpen held down the fort.

Lions’ relievers Blake Estep, Geoff Boylston and Jack Anderson polished off the final two innings, with Anderson picking up the save — his second of the season.

With the victory, the Lions closed out the UTSA Collegiate Baseball Classic with two wins (Stephen F. Austin and Nebraska-Omaha) and a loss (UTSA).

The team continues its spring break tour through the Lone Star state with five upcoming games in Houston — two against the Cougars and a three-game weekend series against Houston Baptist.

Penn State will play next against Houston on Tuesday at 7 p.m.