Baseball adds Impact Newcomers in Portal

Year three of the Mike Gambino era has arrived in Happy Valley as Penn State is days away from the beginning of Fall scrimmages. In a new era of college baseball, an experienced group of transfers are looking to help this team put it all together.

Team is quickly becoming a family

Penn State, much like many other teams in the offseason, has had to deal with roster turnover.

After 20 players from last year left the team, including four MLB draft picks, 21 joined as the latest newcomers. Eighteen players from 2025 return, but only six hitters with starting experience.

Despite this, head coach Mike Gambino says that there’s “a really good feel with how closely knit the clubhouse is already.”

For West Virginia transfer infielder Spencer Barnett, it didn’t take long for team chemistry to form.

“After a month of being here, these guys really feel like my family,” Barnett said. “It’s crazy how close you can get with people, but the culture here is great.”