Cary, N.C.—Sophomore Dalton Stewart (Sharpsburg, Md./Boonsboro) homered in seventh inning to put UMBC in front, as the Retrievers completed a comeback victory against Big Ten foe Penn State in the season opener. The win marks the first against a Big Ten opponent in program history.

The Retrievers start the year 1-0 for the first time since 2016 when they defeated VMI. Penn State drops their first contest of the year to move to 3-1.

The Nittany Lions struck in the very first inning, getting a one out single by Ryan Sloniger. He would advance to third on a Connor Klemann single to left. Sloniger would later score on a wild pitch to give Penn State a 1-0 lead.

UMBC would threaten in the third, getting singles from Mitchell Carroll (Oakton, Va./Oakton) and Joe Milkowski (Lackawanna, N.Y./St. Francis/Niagara County CC), but they would be stranded on base. The Retrievers broke through in the fifth, getting things started with a leadoff single by Collin Stack (Jamestown, N.Y./Monroe CC). He would advance to third on a Zack DeThomasis (Rensselaer, N.Y./Hudson Valley CC) single to right and be brought in by a Carroll squeeze bunt to tie it at 1-1.

The Retrievers would hold Penn State without a run the rest of the way, taking the lead in the seventh on Stewart's first home run of the year and fourth of his career.

Redshirt sophomore Stephen Schoch (Laurel, Md./Appalachian State) came on in relief in the seventh, striking out three and not surrendering a hit to seal the victory for UMBC.

Six different Retrievers recorded hits, with Stewart and Carroll driving in runs. Jacob Christian (Nokesville, Va./Patriot) picked up the win in 1.1 innings of relief, with Schoch earning the three inning save. 

UMBC returns to action tomorrow, Feb. 24 against St. John's. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.