NASSAU, Bahamas – Penn State rallied back over the final three innings to send the game into extras and an Indiana State throwing error on the play at the plate in the bottom of the 11th gave the contest to the Nittany Lions, 9-8, in the final game of the weekend series held inside the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.
 
The Sycamores (6-6) built an 8-5 lead in the top of the seventh inning after Mason Roell hustled around the bases for an inside-the-park two-run home run on a ball that hit the top of the wall in center field. Roell beat the throw to the plate with Nick Sutherlin scoring on the play to give the Sycamores a three-run advantage late in the contest.
 
Penn State (3-6) rallied back behind the bat of Jayden Davis as the Nittany Lion second baseman connected on a solo home run in the seventh and then added a sacrifice fly scoring Cohl Mercado in the eighth inning to make it a one-run ballgame. Kevin Karstetter connected on a leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth and came around to score two batters later on Preston Yaucher's two-out, RBI single back up the middle to tie the game up at 8-8 and send it into extra innings.
 
After neither team was able to push a run across in the 10th, the Nittany Lions loaded the bases with none out in the 11th as Jesse Jaconski opened the bottom half of the inning with a leadoff double. A bunt single and an intentional walk loaded the bases, before Cohl Mercado connected on a ground ball to the Indiana State shortstop. The relay home was off target allowing Jaconski to score and secure the walk-off 9-8 win for the Nittany Lions.
 
The Sycamores built an early 6-2 lead through five innings with Emil Estrella, Roell, Carter Beck, and Caden Miller all driving in RBIs, while Estrella scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning.
 
Estrella, Miller, and Roell all recorded two hits apiece and combined to drive in six of the Sycamores' eight runs in the game. Roell added an RBI single to his two-run homer to pace the team with three RBIs, while Estrella and Nick Sutherlin both scored two runs apiece. Andrew Ortiz, Estrella, Sutherlin, and Miller all doubled in the loss.
 
Hunter Small (0-2) took the loss on the mound allowing two hits and an unearned run, while walking three over 1.0 innings of work. Owen Roberts picked up his second start of the week going 3.2 innings allowing three hits and two runs (one earned), while Spencer Johnsen, Jacob Spencer, Justin Hoff, and Carson Seeman all pitched in the contest.
 
Frankie Sanchez (1-0) was the pitcher of record for Penn State when the Nittany Lions took the lead in the 11th inning as he hurled a shutout top of the 11th frame in recording his first win of the season. Eight different Nittany Lions took the mound on the day with Isaiah Shayter going 2.2 innings allowing four hits and four runs while walking three and striking out three in the start.
 
Jesse Jaconski had three of Penn State's 15 hits in the game, while Michael Anderson, Bryce Molinaro, and Jayden Davis all homered on Sunday afternoon. Jack Porter, Kevin Karstetter, and Jesse Jaconski all doubled in the win.
 
How They Scored

• Indiana State struck for four runs in the top of the third inning to take the early lead over the Nittany Lions. Emil Estrella opened the scoring with an RBI double to right field plating Ray Jesse. Carter Beck added a sacrifice fly scoring Caleb Niehaus, before Caden Miller and Mason Roell both connected on RBI singles in the inning to put the Sycamores ahead 4-0.
• Penn State responded with a run in the bottom of the third as Michael Anderson connected on a solo home run to left field to cut the lead to 4-1.
• The Nittany Lions made it 4-2 in the fourth as Preston Yaucher's RBI single scored Jesse Jaconski.
• The Sycamores added two more runs in the top of the fifth to make it a 6-2 lead as Emil Estrella scored on a wild pitch, before Caden Miller's RBI double to left field drove in Carter Beck to highlight the two-run inning.
• Penn State utilized the long ball in the bottom of the fifth with Bryce Molinaro's solo home run sparking a three-run frame, while Kevin Karstetter and Jesse Jaconski added RBI sacrifice flies in the inning to make it a 6-5 contest.
• Mason Roell connected on an inside-the-park home run off the top of the wall in center field in the top of the seventh inning with Nick Sutherlin scoring on the play to put Indiana State back with a cushion with the 8-5 lead.
• Penn State took one back in the bottom of the seventh on Jayden Davis' solo home run.
• The Nittany Lions cut the lead to 8-7 in the bottom of the eighth as Davis connected on a sacrifice fly to right scoring Cohl Mercado.
• Penn State evened the game in the bottom of the ninth on Preston Yaucher's RBI single up the middle scoring Kevin Karstetter.
• The Nittany Lions loaded the bases in the bottom of the 11th and utilized an Indiana State throwing error on the play at the plate on Cohl Mercado's grounder allowing Jesse Jaconski to score to provide the final 9-8 margin.

News and Notes

• Indiana State won the inaugural Atlantis Collegiate Baseball Series, 2-1, over Penn State after claiming wins in both Friday and Saturday's contests.
• Caden Miller was named the inaugural Tournament MVP after hitting .333 with four RBIs and two runs scored over the three-game series against the Nittany Lions.
• Carter Beck extended his on-base streak to 17 consecutive games after reaching base three times in the contest.
• The Sycamores wrapped up their season-opening road trip with a 6-6 record on a journey that started February 11 in Puerto Rico and ended March 1 in The Bahamas. 

Up Next
Indiana State is set to make its 2026 home debut on Wednesday, March 4, as the Sycamores host Lindenwood at Bob Warn Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. ET. Fans are invited to come early to pick up a 2026 Indiana State Baseball schedule magnet at the gates while supplies last.
 
Indiana State Baseball Season Tickets on Sale Now
Season tickets for the 2026 Indiana State baseball season are now on sale as the Sycamores head into their second season under Head Coach Tracy Archuleta. The Sycamores will play 21 home games inside Bob Warn Field this season, starting on March 4 against Lindenwood.
 
Reserved chairback season tickets can be purchased for $110. General admission season tickets will go on sale as well with adult ($75), seniors ($55), and youth ($40) tickets also being available for purchase. There will be a $5 surcharge added to those wanting tickets printed.
 
The Sycamores have teamed up with Pacesetter Sports and the Spirit Shop for the third consecutive season for a season ticket deal. Fans will receive a $50 Pacesetter gift card for each $110 reserved chairback season ticket, $35 gift card for each $75 general admission season ticket, $25 gift card for each $55 senior general admission ticket, and $20 gift card for each $40 youth season ticket sold.
 
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Baseball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from both the App Store and the Google Play Store.