BLOOMSBURG, Pa. — In the doubleheader matchup on Sunday, Penn State Berks faced Bloomsburg at Bloomsburg High School, experiencing two tough losses, falling 5-2 in game 1 and 13-3 in game 2. Each game was scheduled for seven innings. 

In game 1, Berks jumped ahead in the second inning when Bryce Kelly was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a wild pitch, and crossed home on a double by Michael DeRichie. The Nittany Lions held a 1-0 lead after two innings of play. Michael Thalassinos singled in the third, advancing to third on a botched pickoff attempt. Carsen Brey then stepped up with an RBI single, bringing Thalassinos home and extending the lead to 2-0. Bloomsburg responded with an unearned run in their half, trimming the lead to 2-1 after three.

The fifth inning proved pivotal, as Bloomsburg loaded the bases with a walk and hit-by-pitch, then a subsequent hit-by-pitch tied the game. A groundout and a single followed, bringing in two more runs and putting Bloomsburg ahead 5-2 after five innings. Both teams were held scoreless in the sixth and seventh, leading to a 5-2 win for the Huskies.

Carsen Brey had a solid performance with two hits, an RBI, and a walk in his three at-bats. Thalassinos also contributed with two hits, including a double, and scored a run. DeRichie added a double and an RBI in his three plate appearances. Amanjeet Turka impressed on the mound, striking out two in a clean inning of work. Justin Hefner pitched 4 innings, yielding 4 runs (3 earned) on 1 hit, with 4 walks and 1 strikeout. John Mudri relieved for an inning, allowing 1 run on 1 hit, and hitting a batter without issuing any walks. Turka closed out with a scoreless inning, striking out 2 and allowing no hits or walks.

In game 2, Bloomsburg set the tone early in the first inning with Mike Miller's three-run homer giving the Huskies the early lead. In the second inning, Bloomsburg expanded their advantage with Grant Russo's RBI single and a sacrifice fly from Drew Balestrini, making it 5-0 at the inning's close.

The third inning saw Bloomsburg further their lead as Matt Freda's double brought in two runs, followed by Balestrini's single scoring one other run, pushing the score to 8-0. In the fifth, Bloomsburg's bats remained hot as a string of hits extended the lead to 13-0.

In the seventh, Berks broke through as Andrew Seibert launched a three-run homer to right center, bringing Cade Baumgardner and Carsen Brey home. The game concluded with Bloomsburg on top, 13-3. Seibert shined with two hits, including a homer, driving in three runs. Baumgardner reached base twice, tallying a hit and a walk in his three trips to the plate. Landon Reyes kept steady contact, recording two hits in three at-bats.

Jackson Brancato took the mound first for the Blue & White in game 2, pitching 1 inning and allowing 5 earned runs on 3 hits, including a homer, walking 2. Amanjeet Turla followed, pitching 1 inning, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits, with 1 walk and a double play. Luke Whelan pitched 1 inning, allowing 1 unearned run on 2 hits, with 1 strikeout. Justin Fabbricatore pitched 2 innings, surrendering 3 earned runs on 5 hits, with 2 walks and a wild pitch. Dominick Lauria finished with 1 inning, allowing 1 earned run on 1 hit.

WHO'S NEXT
Berks will finish thier series with Bloomsburg University at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 9, in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.

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