Washington baseball splits double header at Penn State with 6-4 loss

After having to move a game up a day due to potential inclement weather, the Washington Huskies split a doubleheader with the Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday, dropping the second game 6-4. Coach Eddie Smith's team couldn't capitalize on a stellar day at the plate for left fielder Jackson Hotchkiss, who went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, his 18th of the year, as he continues to rise up early 2027 MLB draft buzz and establish himself as one of the best hitters in the Big Ten. Right fielder Braeden Terry added a 1-for-3 day with a walk, a run batted in, and 2 runs scored, while shortstop Sam DeCarlo went 2-for-4, but Noah Kenney struggled on the mound.

Washington's typical Friday starter lasted just 4 innings and surrendered 5 runs on 7 hits and a walk with 3 strikeouts as he dropped to 4-6 on the season. The 7th most home runs in a season in Husky history 🔥 pic. twitter.

com/jpnoAKsVYn — Washington Baseball (@UW_Baseball) May 8, 2026 The Huskies struggled with Jayden Davis at the top of the order, as the left fielder went 3-for-4 with a walk, 2 runs scored, and an RBI, which came on a sixth-inning single off of Liam Lierman to give the Nittany Lions a two-run lead. Second baseman Bryce Molinaro drove in a pair of runs, while right fielder Jesse Jaconski went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the fourth inning and a pair of runs scored. Ben Hudson earned the win for the Nittany Lions and improved to 2-9 on the year after he worked 5 innings and let up 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts.

Mason Horwat earned the save after a perfect ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts. With the loss, the Huskies dropped to 22-28 on the year and 11-15 against Big Ten opponents. They'll look to take the rubber match of the series on Saturday, May 9, at 12:00 p.