Reading, PA- The Penn St. Berks Baseball Team capitalized on a great offensive showing, defeating the University of Valley Forge by a score of 19-8 on Friday, March 28.
 
The Lions (5-16 Overall, 2-2 UE) fell behind early as the Patriots (6-15 Overall, 0-4 UE) scored three times in the top of the first inning. Berks answered back in the bottom of the first inning. Landon Eyster led off by driving a single through the right side and then swiping second base. Later in the inning, Andrew Seibert launched a fly ball into right field that allowed Eyster to tag up and score.
 
Berks would get the offense rolling in the bottom of the third inning. The Lions executed several bunts early in the inning, loading the bases. Jacob Berzonski lifted a single into left field, allowing a run to score. Seibert then lined a single into right field, allowing two runs score and giving the Lions a 4-3 lead. Berks once again loaded the bases and then Travis Schiller drew a walk, bringing in a fifth run. Landon Reyes kept the rally going, blasting a two RBI double into the left center gap, pushing the advantage to four. Jensen Chesnut and Cade Baumgardner added RBI singles to give Berks a 9-3 advantage.
 
The Lions tacked on some more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. With runners on second and third, Reyes came through again, this time knocking a single into left field that brought home both runners giving Berks an 11-3 advantage. On the mound, Justin Hefner pitched the first five innings, allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits while striking out two, eventually earning his first win of the season.
 
Valley Forge scored four times in the top of the fifth inning, closing within four runs. Berks answered back in the bottom of the inning. Baumgardner led off with a double down the left field line and then Eyster lined a single through the right side to put runners on the corners. Berzonski then drove an RBI single into left field, allowing a run to score. Seibert brought in another run with a single through the right side. After Berks loaded the bases, Reyes singled, and a throwing error allowed all three base runners to score, giving Berks a 16-7 lead. Later in the inning with two runners on base, Baumgardner crushed a home run over the left field fence, his third of the season, pushing the Lions lead to 12.
 
Berks turned to their bullpen to close out the victory. Ryan Spatz pitched the sixth inning and Trent Gerhardt threw the seventh inning, combining to hold the Patriots to one run on three hits, securing the Lions victory.
 
WHO'S NEXT
The Lions will travel to face Penn College in United East action on Saturday, March 29. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

FOLLOW US
Fans can keep up with Penn St. Berks Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @BerksAthletics.