Lions make quick exit at Brandywine

Aston, Pa. - Friday's two-hour bus trip down the northeast extension of the PA turnpike was not very kind to the Penn State Hazleton Nittany Lions who were defeated by PSUAC Conference leading Penn State Brandywine by a score of 15-2, in a 7-inning mercy rule game. Things started out well for Hazleton, when they took an early 1-0 lead but then Brandywine put up big offensive numbers in innings four through seven to runaway with Friday's contest.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Hazleton and dropped them to 6-7 overall and 5-6 in the conference. Brandywine will take that long ride north tomorrow for the series ending clash in a double-header at Hazleton. First pitch set for noon at Hazle Township Park.

Serving as the home team, Hazleton broke open the scoring in the second when Chris Neyhard (Bloomsburg, PA/Columbia Montour Area Vocational School) singled and then moved to second on a hit by Ed Wess (East Stroudsburg, PA/Notre Dame East Stroudsburg HS). With two outs, Josh Robin (Nesquehoning , PA/Panther Valley HS) delivered with a single to right field scoring Neyhard. Hazleton put the clamps on Brandywine's offense early in the game but things quickly went south for Hazleton as they allowed 7 runs in the fourth frame. Over the next three innings Brandywine would tack on 8 additional scores while could only muster one extra tally. Wess ended the day with two hits while Neyhard and Robin added a single and an RBI; Nick Ciszak (Kunkletown, PA/Pleasant Valley HS) and Colin Stauffer (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton HS) also chipped in with singles.