Lions outmatched in slugfest at PSU Greater Allegheny

Mckeesport, PA - The Nittany Lions lost their second pair games Sunday during their western Pennsylvania road trip at PSU Greater Allegheny. The Lions challenge the Greater Allegheny team in game one, jumping on top early, but failed to find timely pitching  and defense in key situations allowing the opposition to pull ahead for good. After pulling within two runs midway through game one, the Nittany Lions surrendered 23 unanswered scores to give Greater Allegheny a sweep in the double header. Game one ended in six innings by the score of 17-7, and Game two finished in five innings by the score of 15-0.

Game 1 - Penn State Greater Allegheny 17, Penn State Hazleton 7 (FInal 6 Innings)

Top 1: Three Lions reached base to start the game leading to an RBI base on balls to Joseph Nigito. Ryan Weidick reached on fielding error by the Allegheny third baseman and with no one out in the inning, Thomas Sharp gave the Lions an early 3-0 lead on a ground ball out.

Bottom 1: Hazleton failed to capitolize on the early offensive success allowing 5 straight batters to reach base plating three runs on a Joshua Arroyo double. Four batters later, Mark Hollis singled to score Arroyo, pushing the Allegheny lead to 5-3.

Bottom 2: After shutting down Hazleton in the second frame, Allegheny went back to work on offense. Troy Ambrose slapped a triple driving in the leadoff man to start the scoring.  A single by Glanmarco Concepcion brought in Ambrose and three batters later Concepcion came around to score on a fielder's choice extending the Allegheny lead to 8-3.

Bottom 4: With runners on first and third, Greater Allegheny picks up an insurance run on a double steal pushing the score to 9-3 in their favor.

Top 5: The Lions claw back into the ballgame with an RBI double by Corey Ryba. Two batters later, Joe Nigito singled in another run forcing Allegheny to make a change on the mound. With two on and one out, Ryan Weidick smacked a double, driving in two runs and cutting the lead to just two runs at 9-7.

Bottom 5: Hazleton pitching fails to shut down the Allegheny bats, allowing two runs and four straight batters to reach safely. After a sacrifice fly by Arroyo to plate a third Allegheny run,  John Nusser hits a pinch hit single, driving in two to cap a five run, five hit inning, putting the home team up for good.

Bottom 6: Greater Allegheny picks up four hits, including a walk-off single by Concepcion, instituting the 10 run rule, and ending the game 17-7.

Behind the Box Score:

• Hazleton collects a season high 7 runs on 6 hits.

• Ryan Weidick drives in 3 RBI going 1 for 3 at the plate.

• Lions pitching struggles continue. Corey Ryba ends his outing with 12 hits and seven walks in four innings, allowing 13 runs before exiting.

• Batters one through four score a combined 13 runs for Allegheny.

• Glanmarco Concepcion goes three for three with four runs scored and three RBI

• Joshua Arroyo drives in four runs on two hits in three trips to the plate.

Game 2: Penn State Greater Allegheny 15, Penn State Hazleton 0 (Final 5 Innings)

Bottom 1: After sitting down the Lions in order, Greater Allegheny picks away a Hazleton pitching scoring four runs on four hits, capped by RBI single by Terence Wroniak and steal of home by Nusser.

Bottom 2: 15 Allegheny bats come to the plate putting the game out of reach early, as the home team scores 10 runs in the inning on just six hits and five free passes issued by Hazleton pitching, extending the lead to 14-0.

Bottom 3: With the game already out of reach, Allegheny tacks on one final blow with a Clay Groff RBI double to left field, pushing the score to its eventual final at 15-0 in favor of Greater Allegheny.

Behind the Box Score:

• Matt Klena throw five clean innings for PSU Greater Allegheny, allowing just 4 Hazleton hits and striking out 3 in the winning effort.

• Joshua Arroyo drives in four more runs for Allegheny pushing his tally on the day to eight RBI.

• Cody Ryba, Thomas Sharp, Tyler Marnell, and Tyler Myers scatter singles for Hazleton's only Game 2 hits.

• Four Nittany Lion pitchers combine for 13 earned runs, 14 hits, and six walks in the loss.

Next Up: Hazleton returns home for a day off, then hits the road again for its final scheduled away series of the season. The Lions travel to Penn State York on Tuesday looking to right the ship and pick up their first win of the year.