READING, PA (April 3, 2011) – The Penn State Berks baseball team put used a four-run sixth inning to win 5-4 in the second game and earn a sweep over Cazenovia College in a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Hintz Athletic Field. Berks took the opener by a score of 9-6.
Rich Schlamowitz finished off both games on the mound to lead the Nittany Lions (8-12, 3-1 NEAC) to their first three game winning streak of the season. Schlamowitz pitched the seventh inning to pick up a save in the opener and worked the final two innings to record the win in the nightcap.
In the second game, the Wildcats (1-7, 0-2 NEAC) plated three runs in the top of the sixth inning to go ahead 3-1. Berks wasted no time getting the runs back, as Zach Guiles singled in Nick Vitelli and Michael Werner to tie the game at 3-all. Dillon Landrigan laced a double into the gap in left center to score pinch runner J.C. Lacroix. Two batters later, Aaron Wilkins added a much needed insurance run with an RBI double.
Schlamowitz recorded his first win of the season despite a few defensive mishaps in the top of the seventh. Jerome Bright reached on an error to start the inning, moved up to second on a wild pitch and came into score when the catcher's throw wound up in left field as he stole third. Schlamowitz took matters into his own hands with a strikeout and then forced two fly outs to secure the victory.
Ken Mack gave a strong performance in five plus innings of work. He scattered three hits and allowed three runs – two earned. Mack also registered two strikeouts.
In the first game, Connor Corson smacked two doubles, drove in four runs and scored two runs to lead the offense. Wilkins and Jerel Elliot both added two hits and two runs scored.
Cazenovia tallied two runs in the opening frame with the help of one hit and three walks. Berks countered with three in the first, one in the second and four spot in the third inning. The Wildcats made things interesting for four of their own in the top of the fourth, but they wouldn't get any closer.
Michael Ference (3-1) pitched 3 1/3 innings of relief to earn the win. Werner pitched two scoreless innings before handing the ball over to Schlamowitz for the seventh frame.
Cazenovia was led by Bright with four hits on and four runs scored in the two games. Bryan Wilgocki and Anthony Desarro each had three RBI on the day.
The Nittany Lions will return to the diamond in a non-conference doubleheader with Lancaster Bible on Thursday, April 7 at 1 p.m.
