Kyle Hartman pitching
13
Winner Ohio Wesleyan OWUB 5-1
1
Penn State Berks PSBM 3-3
Winner
Ohio Wesleyan OWUB
5-1
13
Final
1
Penn State Berks PSBM
3-3
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Ohio Wesleyan OWUB 1 1 0 0 0 5 2 3 1 13 20 1
Penn State Berks PSBM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 8

W: Buckey (0-0) L: Anderson, Phil (0-0)

7
Winner Penn State Berks PSBM 4-3
6
Catholic CUABASE 7-4
Winner
Penn State Berks PSBM
4-3
7
Final
6
Catholic CUABASE
7-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 R H E
Penn State Berks PSBM 0 0 1 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 15 3
Catholic CUABASE 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 6 10 1

W: Hartman, Kyle (2-0) L: Chris Nee (1-1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Nittany Lions split on final day of Ripken Experience

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 13, 2014) - After wrapping up an extra inning victory late Wednesday evening, the Penn State Berks baseball team found themselves in action early in the morning on Thursday. The fatigue showed as the Nittany Lions fell by a score of 13-1 to Ohio Wesleyan University in the opener, but they bounced back with a thrilling 7-6 win in 11 innings against Catholic University of America.

The Nittany Lions finished the week with a 4-3 record, marking the first time in program-history that they finished with a record above .500 on their spring break trip. Berks has been going to The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina since the 2008 season.

In the opener, the Nittany Lions received a strong pitching effort by senior Phil Anderson. The senior right-hander made his first start on the mound as Nittany Lion and pitched five excellent innings. He allowed only two runs through the first five innings, but was hampered by some defensive miscues in the sixth inning. The Nittany Lions committed a few errors and allowed some infield singles that led to some easy runs for Ohio Wesleyan. Anderson's final line was six runs allowed - two earned - with two strikeouts and seven fly outs.

The Nittany Lions pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth inning to avoid a second shutout against Ohio Wesleyan. Dylan Vermeesch led off with a walk and Chris Lopez followed with a single to put runners on first and second. Jarod Leopold grounded out to the right side to move the runners up. Dom Continenza grounded out, but recorded an RBI as Vermeesch scored from third base.

In the second game, the Nittany Lions called upon the late theatrics from the night before to pull of a late comeback victory. Catholic took an early 2-0 lead, but Steve Koenig settled down with five innings of solid pitching. He set down the Cardinals in order in the third and fourth inning and left the game with the Nittany Lions leading 6-3.

The Nittany Lions were able to score in the top of the third inning without the help of a hit. Elias Manzueta drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. At second base, Manzueta moved to third on a passed ball and headed home to score as the catcher was unable to find the ball at the back stop.

In the fourth inning, Ryan Tantala led off with a single and advanced to second on a groundout by Keith Salmon. Kyle Hartman followed with a single to score Tantala and tie the game at 2-apiece.

The Nittany Lions carried the momentum of a shutdown inning by Koenig to plate four unearned runs in the top of the fifth. The first two batters grounded out before Nick Zipay reached base on an error by the third baseman. Tom Grablewski and Tantala singled to load the bases. Salmon then laced a pitch deep into right center field to score Zipay and Grablewski. Hartman doubled down the left field line, scoring Tantala and Salmon to give Berks a 6-2 lead.

Catholic chipped away at the deficit and was able to tie the game up at 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth against Hartman. From there, the left-hander settled in and set the Cardinals down in order over the final three frames. In that time, he recorded five strikeouts to earn his second win in as many days.

In addition to his pitching heroics, Hartman recorded the go-ahead run with a bases loaded walk in the top of the eleventh. Keeanu Erb led off the inning with a single to center field and Zipay drew a walk. Tantala singled to load the bases with just one out. The Cardinals got a force out at home to keep the game even, but the Nittany Lions still had the bases full. Hartman worked a full count and fouled off a few pitches before drawing the bases loaded walk to force in Zipay.

He finished off the game by striking out the first Cardinals batter and forcing a pair of ground outs.

Salmon collected two doubles and two RBI, while Zipay, Tantala, Hartman, and Erb each recorded two hits. Zipay and Tantala also scored two runs.

The Nittany Lions will return to action on Saturday, March 22 when they host Ursinus College in a doubleheader at Hintz Athletic Field beginning at 1 p.m.
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