READING, Pa. — In a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, Penn State Berks faced off against Central Penn College, resulting in a tough outing for the Nittany Lions. In the first game of the day, Berks could not hold on to a late lead, falling 9-6 in eight innings. In game 2, Berks fell to Central Pennsylvania with a score of 7–2. Despite the defeat, the Nittany Lions logged seven hits, including a pair of doubles throughout the contest.
The Nittany Lions showcased their speed and power, stealing 12 bases and smacking four doubles in their nine-hit lineup. Central Penn jumped ahead early, posting four runs in the first inning. Nic Joseph's RBI single brought Tanner Boyd across home plate, followed by Gabe Kaufman's three-run blast that drove in David Thomas and Joseph. Berks countered with
Cade Baumgardner scoring on an
Andrew Seibert sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 4–1 after the first inning.
Central Penn tacked on another in the second inning as Darwin Cruz crossed the plate on Tanner McCoy's sacrifice fly, pushing the score to 5–1. The Blue & White chipped away in the fourth.
Michael DeRichie singled and was driven in by
Michael Thalassinos' RBI double.
Colby Crills grounded out but managed to bring Thalassinos home, tightening the game to 5–3. In the fifth inning,
Bryce Kelly's RBI double scored DeRichie, inching Berks closer to 5–4.
The sixth inning saw Baumgardner draw a walk, steal two bases, and score on Crills' single. Kelly followed up with another double, bringing Crills home and giving the Blue & White a 6–5 edge. Central Penn leveled it in the seventh when Darwin Cruz scored on McCoy's RBI single, tying the game at 6–6. The Knights regained the upper hand in the eighth. A balk moved runners along, and Terrell Smith Cole's single drove in two unearned runs. Cruz added an RBI single, extending the lead to 9–6.
Cade Baumgardner was a highlight reel, swiping three bases and scoring twice.
Colby Crills shone with two RBIs and three stolen bases.
Michael DeRichie led with three hits, including a double, and two swipes.
Bryce Kelly powered the lineup with two doubles and an RBI. On the mound,
Jackson Brancato pitched the first 2 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 5 hits, including a homer, with no strikeouts.
Amanjeet Turka stepped up with 4 scoreless innings of relief, giving up just 2 hits and punching out 2 batters, earning a WHIP of 0.50.
Justin Hefner threw 1 inning, allowing 1 earned run on 2 hits, including a triple, with 1 strikeout.
Logan McMaster and
John Mudri faced challenges in relief, each conceding runs without yielding hits in brief outings.
In game 2,
Cade Baumgardner kicked things off with a single and later scored on
Andrew Seibert's double to knot the game at 1–1 in the first inning. The score held steady through the end of the frame. Central Pennsylvania edged ahead 2–1 in the second inning thanks to Gabe Kaufman's solo shot. Berks answered back in the bottom half when
Lucas Bacher crossed the plate on Baumgardner's RBI single, tying it up at 2–2 by the close of the second inning.
The deadlock persisted until the sixth inning when the Knights surged ahead. Kaufman came through again with a double, driving in two runs to give Central Pennsylvania a 4–2 lead through six. In the seventh inning, Central Pennsylvania widened the gap. Tanner McCoy scored on a wild pitch, followed by Kaufman adding another to his tally with an RBI single. The inning concluded with the Knights firmly in the lead at 7–2. Despite the efforts from the Blue & White, Central Pennsylvania sealed their 7–2 victory.
Cade Baumgardner had a standout performance with two hits and an RBI, playing a pivotal role in the offense.
Andrew Seibert also shone with two doubles and an RBI.
Owen Grove reached base three times, drawing two walks and a single, while also stealing a base.
Jacob Crisler pitched 2 innings, striking out three and allowing three hits.
WHO'S NEXT
The Nittany Lions hit the road to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, for a matchup against Valley Forge. First pitch is scheduled for noon Friday, April 3.
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