ALLENTOWN, Pa. — In a nail-biter at Bicentennial Park on Friday, Penn State Berks fell just short against Muhlenberg with a final score of 10–9. The Nittany Lions put up a fight with two home runs and 12 hits in this tight contest.
Berks came out swinging in the first inning, racking up four runs right off the bat.
Michael DeRichie got things rolling with a single, moved on a wild pitch, and crossed home on
Bryce Kelly's single.
Andrew Seibert also took advantage of a wild pitch to score, and
Jackson Brancato closed the inning with a clutch two-RBI single. Muhlenberg answered back with a two-run homer from Spencer Hobson, but Berks held a 4–2 lead at the end of the inning.
Muhlenberg chipped away in the second inning when Steven Dimovski scored on a double play, tightening the score to 4–3. The fourth inning saw Muhlenberg snatch the lead as Thomas Rorick and Dimovski scored through a single and a sacrifice fly, bringing Muhlenberg ahead 5–4.
Berks evened the score in the fifth with Seibert's solo home run to center field, tying it up at 5–5. Muhlenberg edged ahead in the sixth with an RBI single by Sean Habeeb, making it 6–5. Dimovski's grand slam in the seventh widened Muhlenberg's lead to 10–5, putting pressure on the Nittany Lions.
Berks fought back in the eighth with
Lucas Bacher's two-run homer, cutting the deficit to 10–7. In the ninth, Berks kept battling. Kelly doubled and scored on a throwing error, followed by Carsen Brey scoring on a single from Cj Kellogg-Long. Despite their efforts, Muhlenberg held on for a narrow 10–9 win.
Seibert shone with two hits, including a home run, and an RBI. Kelly was solid with two hits, one being a double, scored twice, and stole a base. Bacher brought the power with his home run and two RBIs. Brey was a constant threat, scoring three runs, picking up two hits, drawing a walk, and stealing a base.
On the mound,
Mike Kelemen pitched 1 inning, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits, including a home run and 2 walks, resulting in a WHIP of 6.00.
Amanjeet Turka gave 3 innings with 2 earned runs on 3 hits and a WHIP of 1.00, along with a strikeout.
Tyler Gilbert pitched 2 innings, giving up 1 earned run on 2 hits, maintaining a WHIP of 1.00.
Justin Fabbricatore faced a tough inning, allowing 4 earned runs off 2 hits, including a home run and 2 walks.
John Mudri wrapped up 1 inning without surrendering any runs, allowing 1 hit and issuing 2 walks, with a WHIP of 3.00.
WHO'S NEXT
The Blue & White are back in action at noon on Saturday, March 21, hosting Penn State Harrisburg in Reading, Pennsylvania.
FOLLOW US
Stay connected with Berks Athletics all season on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube @BerksAthletics.
