Penn State Baseball Opens Season at Puerto Rico Challenge

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State baseball team kicks off its 2025 season at the PR Baseball Challenge in Caguas, Puerto Rico, beginning February 14. The Nittany Lions will face Missouri on Friday at 4 p.m., Stetson on Saturday at 10 a.m., and UConn on Sunday at 8 p.m. All games will be streamed live on ESPN+.

This season marks the Nittany Lions’ second under head coach Rob Cooper, who led them to a 29-24 record last year, the highest win total for a first-year head coach in the program’s history. Penn State looks to build on its momentum from 2024 and make a strong early impression in Puerto Rico.

Missouri, guided by head coach Kerrick Jackson, struggled in 2024 with a 23-32 record, including nine wins in the SEC. Meanwhile, Stetson, under coach Steve Trimper, enters the challenge coming off a successful season, finishing 41-22, winning the Atlantic Sun Conference, and reaching the NCAA Regional.

UConn, coached by Jim Penders, finished with a 35-26 record last year, winning the Big East before falling in the Tallahassee Super Regional. The Huskies are expected to present a tough challenge for the Nittany Lions.

Senior outfielder Cayden Nicoletto is poised to make an impact on the batting lineup, having hit 27 home runs last season at Columbia (MO) and leading the American Midwest Conference with a .915 slugging percentage.

The Nittany Lions’ performance against their opening three opponents will be essential for setting the tone for the season. Key pitchers include right-hander Mason Horwat, who posted a 4-1 record with a 5.34 ERA in 2024, and left-handers Ryan DeSanto and Matt Morash, who contributed significantly last season.

Penn State’s first challenge from Missouri will be crucial as they aim to navigate through tough opposition in the challenge. The team hopes to achieve at least a 2-1 record by the end of the weekend, with a strong showing against UConn to wrap things up.

For ongoing updates and more information on the Penn State baseball team, fans can follow their social media channels @pennstatebase on X and Instagram. This season is presented by The Family Clothesline.