READING, Pa. — Penn State Berks split a doubleheader against Lancaster Bible College on Friday, securing a 5–3 victory in the first game before falling 13-10 in a high-scoring affair in the second.
In game one, Penn State Berks showcased a strong offensive performance with 13 hits, starting with two runs in the first inning.
Cade Baumgardner led off with a single, followed by a double from
Colby Crills, putting runners on second and third.
Michael DeRichie grounded out to bring home Baumgardner, and
Bryce Kelly's single scored Crills, giving the Blue & White a 2–0 lead after the first inning.
The second inning saw
Jackson Brancato single and later score after a walk and an error loaded the bases. Crills was hit by a pitch to force in a run, increasing Berks' lead to 3–0. The Chargers responded in the third inning, with Shane Stephan scoring on Dylan Witkowski's double, but Berks answered back with an RBI single by Brancato, maintaining a 4–1 lead through three innings.
Lancaster Bible narrowed the gap in the fifth inning as CJ Peterson and Dylan Witkowski scored on Donavan Boles' single, reducing the deficit to 4–3. However, in the eighth inning, Baumgardner singled and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, and Crills delivered an RBI single to extend the lead to 5–3.
Amanjeet Turka closed out the game in the ninth inning, securing the victory for Berks.
Cade Baumgardner scored two runs and contributed significantly to the offense.
Colby Crills added two RBIs and two hits, including a double, while
Bryce Kelly recorded four hits.
Luke Whelan pitched 7 innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out two, earning the win and improving his record to 4–2.
In game two, despite racking up 14 hits, including four doubles, Penn State Berks could not overcome Lancaster Bible's offensive surge, particularly in the third and fifth innings. The Nittany Lions started strong, scoring five runs on seven hits in the first inning.
Cade Baumgardner led off again with a single, followed by another single from
Colby Crills.
Michael DeRichie's double brought home Baumgardner, and
Bryce Kelly's single scored both DeRichie and Crills.
Andrew Seibert added another run, and
Jackson Brancato's double extended the lead to 5-2, despite Lancaster Bible scoring twice in their half.
The second inning saw DeRichie single and score on Seibert's double, extending the Blue & White's lead to 6-2. However, the Chargers responded with five runs in the third inning, taking a 7-6 lead. Berks tied the game in the fourth when Baumgardner advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error.
The fifth inning featured another exchange of runs. LBC scored two to lead 10-7, but Berks answered with three runs, including a double from
Landon Reyes, tying the game at 10-10. The seventh inning proved pivotal as the Chargers took a 12-10 lead on Donavan Boles' two-run homer. Lancaster Bible added an insurance run in the ninth inning to secure a 13-10 victory.
Cade Baumgardner scored twice and collected three hits in the second game, while
Michael DeRichie also scored two runs and added three hits.
Bryce Kelly drove in two runs, and
Landon Reyes matched him with two RBIs, bolstering the team's overall offensive output.
Justin Hefner started for Berks, pitching 2 1/3 innings and allowing seven earned runs.
Jacob Crisler took over in relief, giving up three earned runs, while
Travis Loy closed the game, pitching 4 2/3 innings and surrendering three earned runs.
WHO'S NEXT
Berks has a clinched a spot in the United East Championship Tournament, they will learn their first round match in the coming days.
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