Nittany Lions drop fourth straight conference loss in double header with Brandywine

Drifton, Pa. - The Nittany Lions dropped a pair of Penn State University Athletic Conference games on Tuesday afternoon on their home field against Penn State Brandywine. The Lions struggled to contain a potent Brandywine batting order that handed Hazleton two losses via the ten run rule in five innings by the scores of 17-2, and 18-4.

Game 1: Penn State Brandywine 17, Penn State Hazleton 2 (Final 5 Innings)

Brandywine jumped out to a three run advantage just four batters into the action, but sophomore Michael Baez (Blakeslee, Pa.) escaped the inning with a double play on an outstanding defensive effort by sophomore Charles Ziegmont (Tallahassee, Fl.) in left field. Hazleton responded with a run in the bottom half of the first but the second inning belonged to the visitors. Brandywine sent 13 batters to the plate in the frame garnering nine runs in the process to take full command of the game. Brandywine would outscore Hazleton 5-1 in the remaining innings to capture the game one victory 17-2.

Top 1st

The first four  Brandywine batters reach base to plate three first inning runs brought in by a double by Steve Trainor and a two RBI sinlge by Tom Osenbach.

Bottom 1st

Freshman Austin Felter (Susquehanna, Pa.) doubles to lead off the frame, works his way to third base and comes around to score on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Tyler Myers (Nanticoke, Pa.), cutting the lead to 3-1 in favor of Brandywine.

Top 2nd

A trio of Hazleton fielding miscues accompanied by six Brandywine hits leads to the big inning for the visitors. Pat Tackney drives a two run home run to left field to spark the nine run Brandywine inning, putting them on top 12-1.

Bottom 3rd

Hazleton has the makings of a big inning when Felter leads off with a single and moves to third base when the next two hitters reach safely. Sophomore Chalres Karchner brings in Felter on with Hazleton's second sacrifice fly, but Brandywine retires the next two batters to eliminate the rally and maintain a 12-2 advantage.

Top 4th

John Gorgone lines a ball that beats the Hazleton outfield defense for a three run inside the park home run. Brandywine adds two scores on a groundout and a sacrifice fly to cap a five run fourth inning.

Top Performers

Austin Felter scores both Hazleton runs finishing 2-3 a the plate. Junior Aaron Glass garners two hits in three at bats and teammate Charlie Karchner finishes 2-2 with an RBI on the sac fly.

Pat Tackney goes 3-3 out of the lead off spot for Brandywine, scoring three runs and driving in a pair. Tom Osenbach led Brandywine with four RBI on a 2-4 performance while John Gorgone notches three RBI and three runs scored to round out the visitors top run producers.

Chris Skahill totaled six strikeouts from the hill, allowing two Hazleton runs on seven hits in five innings pitched to earn his third win of the season.

Game 2: Penn State Brandywine 18, Penn State Hazleton 4 (Final 5 Innings)

As in game one, Hazleton pitching and defense fell victim to the big inning, spelling defeat for the home squad. John Gorgone hit a pair of home runs including a grand slam that served as bookends to a 13 run frame for Brandywine and sealed Hazleton's fate in game two. The Lions would get on the board with a three run fourth inning, but a three run blast for Brandywine the following inning erased any hope for a Hazleton comeback. 

Top 1st

Tom Osenbach doubles to bring in a pair of Brandywine scores, giving the visitors the early 2-0 advantage.

Top 3rd

Brandywine collects 10 hits in the inning including two home runs and six RBI by Gorgone to tally 13 runs and increase the lead to 15-0 after three innings of play.

Bottom 4th

Aaron Glass hits a one out solo home run to get the Lions on the board. Two batters and two singles later, senior Richard Hobbs (Central Islip, Ny.) produces a second run on a groundout and sophomore Max Mott (Harrisburg, Pa.) follows with an RBI single bringing the score to 15-3 after four innings.

Top 5th

Anthony Bianchini homers with two men aboard to erase the Hazleton scores and push the lead back to 15 at a score of 18-3.

Bottom 5th

With one out and runners on the corners, a botched pickoff attempt plates senior Corey Ryba from third base for the Lions fourth and final score.

Top Performers

Max Mott collects the only multi-hit game for Hazleton, tallying two hits in two at bats with an RBI. Aaron Glass ends the game 1-3, knocking his first home run of the season.

Gorgone's three home run day ended with a 3-4 finish in game two. Gorgone knocked in a team high six runs and scored three times on the bases. Anthony Bianchini finished 2-4 with four RBI and two runs scored including the home run in the top of the fifth. Tom Osenbach rounds out the top Brandywine hitters with a 2-3 outing, driving in two runs and scoring twice.

Frank Newman earns the win in game two for Brandywine, tossing five innings of four run ball, with two strikeouts to his credit.

Next Up

Hazleton travels Wednesday to Penn State Mont Alto, where the Lions will look to get back in the playoff hunt. PSUAC action continues tomorrow with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.