Lions swept on the road in PSUAC opener by Penn State Brandwyine

Media, PA - Penn State Hazleton's (0-2 PSUAC) first action on the diamond ended in defeat as the Lions traveled south to square off against Penn State University Athletic Conference opponent PSU Brandywine (9-10, 4-0 PSUAC). The Lions managed just two hits in the opener to fold in game 1 by a score of 7-0. Hazleton broke into the score column in game 2 but miscues allowed Brandywine to cruise to 11-1 victory in five innings.

 Game 1: Penn State Brandywine 7, Penn State Hazleton 0 (Final)

 Bottom 3: Following two scoreless innings of play, PSU Brandywine struck first when Dan McMenamin doubled to left center to drive a runner from second base. Following a walk, Evan Cline continued the offense with an RBI single to right field, and with runners on first and 3rd, Hazleton fell victim to a double steal, with Brandywine's Gabe Encarnacion scoring from third base.

 Bottom 4: A fielding error by the Hazleton third baseman gave Brandywine life in the 4th inning. Two wild pitches allowed the runner to advance to third and a walk and stolen base allowed Brandywine's Dan McMenamin to issue more damage on a single to centerfield, allowing two unearned runs in the inning, pushing Brandywine's lead to 5-0.

 Bottom 5: Evan Cline reached 2nd base on a fielding error by the Hazleton right fielder and scored on a single by Chris Keenan. Two batters later, Keenan scored on a sacrifice fly to left by John Gorgone. 

 More impressive than Brandywine's offensive performance was the work done on the mound by Andrew Karahalis. The pitcher took a no-hitter into the final inning of play but was spoiled by two hits in the 7th. Karahalis finished the complete game surrendering 2 hits and 2 walks on the day with 6 strikeouts to his credit. Dan McMenamin led the offense in game 1 going 2 for 4 at the plate with 3 RBI and a run scored.

 Hazleton struggled to produced in the opener, registering just 2 hits against the Brandywine defense. Brian Griest pitched 4 innings in a losing effort giving 5 runs on 6 hits while issuing 5 walks. Charlie Karchner and Joseph Winter accounted for Hazleton's only hits, both logging singles in the final frame, and the Lions fell in game 1 by the score of 7-0.

Game 2: Penn State Brandywine 11, Penn State Hazleton 1 (Final, 5 Innings)

 Top 1: Cody Ryba led off game 2 with an infield single and was sacrificed into scoring position by Brian Griest. After a fly-out to left field, Joseph Nigito drove a double to right center, scoring Ryba and giving Hazleton its first lead of the day 1-0.

 Bottom 1: Singles by Josh Dellipriscoli and and Gabe Encarnacion aided the Brandywine attack, but 4 miscues in the inning allowed 5 runners to reach base and 3 to cross the plate for Brandywine, who reclaimed the lead after 1 inning by the score of 3-1.

Bottom 2: With 2 outs in the inning, the Brandywine bats came to life. Dan Mcmenamin singled in a run, and 2 batters later, Gabe Encarnacion doubled to left field scoring 2 more runners. Singles by Evan Cline and Kris Keenan and double to left by Pat O'Neill scored 3 additional runs. John Gorgone, came to the plate with a runner on second and slammed a home run over the left field wall, breaking the game open for Brandywine who scored 8 runs in the inning on 8 hits giving them an 11-1 lead.

 Following the crooked number in the 2nd inning, Brandywine cruised to victory. Troy Mucchetti pitched 3 innings for the win giving up 1 run on three hits. Gabe Encarnacion went 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBI to lead Brandywine offensively.

 Charlie Karchner struggled in his first appearance on the hill for Hazleton, lasting just an inning and two thirds, and surrendering 11 runs on 9 hits in the shortened outing. Joe Nigito went 1 for 2 in the game with Hazleton's lone RBI and Cody Ryba scored Hazleton's only run going 1 for 2 at the plate.  The Lions failed to threaten following the 8 run second inning and fell in game 2 by the score of 11-1 in 5 innings.

 Next Up: Hazleton returns home to face off against United States Collegiate Athletic Association opponent Vaughn College on Wednesday April 8. First pitch of the double-header is slated for 2 PM at the Drifton Sports Complex in Drifton, PA.