ASTON, Pa. — Penn State Berks battled to a thrilling 8-8 draw with Neumann University in 11 innings on Wednesday afternoon. This marks the Nittany Lions' second tie of the season, as the game stretched into extra innings, showcasing the grit and determination from both squads.
Neumann jumped ahead in the first inning when Donovan Brooks reached base after being hit by a pitch, stole his way around the diamond, and scored on Anthony Rakotz's groundout, giving them a 1-0 lead.
Berks took advantage of Neumann's defensive lapses in the second inning.
Bryce Kelly and
Lucas Bacher both walked, with Kelly scoring on
Michael Thalassinos's walk, and Bacher crossing the plate on
Owen Grove's walk, putting the Blue & White up 2-1. The lead extended in the third inning with
Michael DeRichie reaching second on a single and an error. Kelly and Bacher followed with singles, DeRichie scored, and
Jackson Brancato's groundout brought Kelly home. Thalassinos doubled to send Bacher across the plate, pushing the score to 5-1.
Neumann chipped away at the lead in the fourth when Jackson Armiger scored on Brayden Fields's sacrifice fly, making it 5-2. The sixth inning saw the Knights narrow the gap further as Tyler Kilmer scored on Alex Gambol's RBI double, closing in at 5-3. In the eighth, Neumann evened the score 5-5 with Brooks's electrifying triple that brought in two runs.
Berks had a promising ninth inning, plating three runs. Bacher reached on an error,
Travis Loy worked a walk, and Thalassinos's singled to load the bases.
Cade Baumgardner's single drove in two. Another error allowed Thalassinos to score, putting Berks up 8-5. Yet Neumann answered back, leveling it again at 8-8 with three runs.
The game pressed on into extra innings, but neither team could break the stalemate through the 11th inning, ending in an 8-8 tie.
Baumgardner's two-run single and Thalassinos's three-hit, two-RBI performance were offensive highlights. Kelly scored twice, showcasing his knack for finding home plate, while DeRichie added two hits and a run, proving steady at the bat.
On the mound,
John Mudri threw 2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 earned run, striking out 3, and walking 1.
Mike Kelemen faced one batter, issuing a walk.
Dominick Lauria pitched a hitless inning, striking out 1 with 1 walk.
Justin Hefner opened with a hitless inning but allowed 1 earned run on two hit batters.
Jacob Crisler delivered a scoreless inning with a strikeout.
Tyler Gilbert allowed 2 hits and 1 unearned run over 2 innings.
Justin Fabbricatore pitched 1 1/3 innings, conceding 2 hits and 1 earned run with a strikeout and a walk.
Luke Whelan gave up 1 hit and 2 earned runs in 1 2/3 innings, with 1 strikeout and 2 walks.
Logan McMaster wrapped up with 1 inning, surrendering 1 hit and striking out 1 without an earned run.
WHO'S NEXT
Berks will have a showdown with Lancaster Bible College at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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