Gwynedd Valley, PA- The Penn St. Berks Baseball team opened its 2025 season by facing Gwynedd Mercy University in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 22. The Lions made a late rally to win game one by a score of 10-9 before falling by a score of 7-1 in game two.
 
Berks (1-1 Overall) got off to a rocky start, as the Griffins (1-1 Overall) plated five runs in the first inning to grab the early lead. The Lions fought back in the top of the second inning. Isaiah Dull led off the inning with a single into left field. After Dull stole second base, Logan Ewert singled to shortstop, allowing Dull to hustle around the bases and score the team's first run of the season. The Griffins scored twice in the bottom of the third inning to extend their advantage to 7-1. Peter DePolo III recorded his first career hit in the top of the fourth inning and then Andrew Seibert posted his first career triple, smashing a ball down the right field line allowing DePolo III to score. Berks also scored again in the fifth inning, Landon Eyster and Landon Reyes smacked back-to-back singles to put a pair of runners on base. Nick Hardesty punched a single into center field, driving home a run.
 
Despite the offensive flurry, the Lions trailed 9-3 heading into the top of the seventh inning. Eyster started a rally drawing a walk and then Reyes doubled to left center putting runners on the corners. A balk by the Griffins pitcher allowed Eyster to score and then Hardesty ground out allowing Reyes to score. Relief Pitcher Jacob Crisler provided three quick outs to give Berks a chance in the top of the eighth inning. DePolo III and Seibert reached base and moved themselves into scoring with one out in the inning. Travis Schiller blasted a single up the middle, driving in both RBIs. Later in the inning with runners on the corners, Reyes uncorked a triple down the right field line, bringing in two more runs and tying the game at nine.
 
The Lions looked to take their first lead of the game in the top of the ninth inning. Dull led off by drawing a walk and advancing to second on a bunt by DePolo III. Seibert then came through, hammering a single into center field that scored Dull. Holding a 10-9 lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Berks turned to Amanjeet Turka to secure the save. Turka struck out two of the three batters he faced, securing the Lions first victory of the season.
 
Berks recorded 13 hits as a team, led by Reyes who finished the game 3-5 with a double and a triple while driving in two RBIs. Seibert also went 3-5 with a triple, driving home two RBIs. Schiller and Hardesty also drove in two RBIs apiece.
 
The Lions could not get their offense rolling early in game two, being held to only three hits across the first five innings. Meanwhile, Gwynedd Mercy posted five runs in the third inning, jumping out to a 7-0 lead. Berks tried to battle back in the top of the eighth inning. Braden Oxenreider worked a walk and eventually moved into scoring position due to a failed pickoff attempt. Cade Baumgardner hit a sharp ground ball toward short, allowing Oxenreider to score. The Lions could not get any closer, falling 7-1.
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will return to action when they head north to face The College at Old Westbury on Saturday, Mar. 1^st. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

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