MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – After falling to Penn State Abington on the second day of the United East Championship Tournament, Penn State Harrisburg's baseball team needed to take two on Wednesday afternoon to win a second straight conference title.

That's exactly what the Lions did.

Penn State Harrisburg (30-15) slugged its way to a 23-6 victory in game one before staving off a Penn State Abington (33-11) rally in a 10-7 win in the United East Championship Game, clinching a third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth for head coach Ryan Bown's squad.

Matt Parks was named the United East Championship Tournament most valuable player after slashing .706/.808/1.235 with a 2.043 OPS across five games with a grand slam, four doubles, nine RBI, 11 runs scored, and nine walks.

Full recap to follow.

GAME 1

Penn State Harrisburg wasted no time getting the bats going in a 23-6 victory over Penn State Abington that forced a deciding game for the 2022 United East Championship.

Matt Parks went 2-for-3 with a grand slam, four RBI, three runs scored, and three walks, while Maddux Ryan finished 4-for-6 with four RBI and three runs. Drew Sassaman racked up five hits, while Kevin Lehner, Chase Smith, Josh Lantz, Julian Belardo, and Matt Isaac all had multi-hit outings.

The Lions racked up 24 hits, including back-back-back home runs from Parks, Lehner, and Ryan in the third inning.

GAME 2

Penn State Harrisburg kept the momentum of game one rolling en route to a 10-7 victory over Penn State Abington in the United East Championship Game that clinched the team's second consecutive conference title on Wednesday afternoon.

Matt Parks stayed hot, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, three runs scored, and a walk. Kevin Lehner went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run, a double, five RBI, and two runs scored. Chase Smith finished 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, and a pair of runs, while Maddux Ryan also had a multi-hit day.

The Lions racked up six extra-base knocks, including four doubles, a triple, and Lehner's home run.

NOTABLES

- The Lions will be making their third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and fourth in program history (2022, 2021, 2019, 2013).

- The conference championship is Penn State Harrisburg's third all-time (2022, 2021, 2013).

- Matt Parks was named the United East Championship Tournament MVP after slashing .706/.808/1.235 with a 2.043 OPS across five games with a grand slam, four doubles, nine RBI, 11 runs scored, and nine walks.

- United East Pitcher of the Year Zach Gettys earned his second save of the season in the championship game, clinching the victory with a game-ending strikeout.

- Kevin Maiolo was stellar in 3.2 innings of relief in the title game, earning the win after striking out five batters.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions await their NCAA Regional destination. The NCAA Selection Show is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Monday afternoon, May 16.

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