READING, PA- The Penn St. Berks Baseball team split a pair of United East games with local foe Lancaster Bible College on Friday Mar. 22. The Lions dropped game one by a score of 10-6 in seven innings. They then rebounded to win game two by a score of 10-8.
GAME 1
Berks responded to an early LBC run, scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Zach Smith led off the inning by doubling down the left field line. Later in the inning Nick Bergeman punched a single through the right side, scoring Smith. LBC surged back in front, scoring in the fourth and fifth innings to build a 3-1 lead.
The Lions would have a flurry of offense in the bottom of the fifth inning. Colin Templin started the rally with a ground rule double down the left field line. After Smith drew a walk, Griffin Kay crushed a three-run home run over the left field fence to put Berks ahead 4-3. Two batters later, Bergeman launched a solo home run over the left field fence, pushing the Berks' lead to two.
LBC responded three runs in the sixth inning and four runs in the seventh inning to retake a 10-5 lead. Berks had one more chance to rally back in the bottom of the final inning. Smith and Kay worked walks to put a pair of runners on base. Bergeman drove in one run with a ground ball, but the Lions would eventually fall by a score of 10-6.
GAME 2
The Lions struggled to find their offensive rhythm throughout their first six innings and found themselves trailing 2-0 heading into the seventh inning. The Lions got a strong pitching performance from starter John Mudri who pitched 5.2 innings allowing only two hits while striking out four LBC batters.
The Chargers extended their lead in the top of the seventh inning, scoring two more runs to take a 4-0 lead. The Lions finally got the bats going in the bottom of the inning. Smith led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Kay then singled to put a pair of runners on base. Bergeman then smacked a single into left field scoring Smith from second base. Jonathan Myers loaded the bases with a single to center field. Kolbie Reeser was then hit by a pitch, walking in a run to make the score 4-2. Nick Hardesty then reached base on a fielders' choice that allowed a third run to score. Templin cleared the bases, smashing a triple to deep center field, putting the Lions ahead 5-4.
LBC responded, scoring four runs in the top of the eighth inning to regain an 8-5 lead. The Lions would not go away starting a rally in the bottom of the inning. Berks drew four straight walks, with Myers' walk cutting the deficit down to two. A wild pitch then allowed Colin Amerine to score and the other runners to advance into scoring position. After a pitching change, Reeser lifted a sacrifice fly to center field allowing Bergeman to score and tie up the score at eight. Later in the inning, a wild pitch allowed two runners to score, putting the Lions ahead 10-8.
Berks allowed LBC to load the bases in the top of the ninth inning, but Reeser who had come on in relief got a key strikeout to close out the victory.
WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will host Gettysburg College on Sunday, Mar. 24. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
STAY CONNECTED
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