READING, Pa. — In the United East Championship Tournament First Round, Penn State Berks, the #7 seed, fell to Valley Forge, the #10 seed, with a final score of 12-8 on Tuesday. Despite recording 13 hits, the Nittany Lions were unable to overcome the Patriots' five-run eighth inning.
Penn State Berks and Valley Forge each scored in the first inning.
Colby Crills doubled and later scored on a fielder's choice by
Andrew Seibert, bringing the score to 1-1 after the first inning.
In the second inning, Valley Forge scored three runs, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Gabriel Murphy. Berks went scoreless in its half, leaving the score at 4-1 in favor of Valley Forge through two innings. Evelyn Asijah homered for UVF in the third, but the Blue & White responded with a run of its own when
Michael DeRichie doubled to score
Cade Baumgardner, making the score 5-2.
The sixth inning saw Berks rally with three runs. DeRichie singled to score Baumgardner, and a passed ball allowed another run.
Bryce Kelly doubled to bring DeRichie home, leveling the score at 5-5. Valley Forge added two unearned runs in its half, leading 7-5 through six innings. In the seventh inning, the Nittany Lions regained the lead with a three-run effort.
Carson Brey scored on a single by Crills, who advanced to second on an error. DeRichie then tripled, bringing in two more runs, and Berks led 8-7 after seven innings.
Valley Forge answered back decisively in the eighth with five runs, including a two-RBI single by Murphy and a triple by Braedon Tunnel, to take a 12-8 lead. Berks was unable to rally back again, falling 12-8.
Colby Crills recorded three hits, including two doubles, and scored three runs.
Michael DeRichie contributed significantly with four hits, driving in four runs, and added a double and a triple.
Cade Baumgardner crossed the plate three times, adding two hits to his tally.
Justin Hefner pitched 3 innings, allowing 5 earned runs on 5 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 1.
Amanjeet Turka came in relief for 5 innings, giving up 5 earned runs on 7 hits and striking out 1, resulting in a loss that brought his record to 1-3.
Steven Sepko closed the game, pitching 1 inning with 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 strikeout, successfully limiting further scoring.
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