NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The bats came to play but the pitching struggled in game one before the roles reversed in the second outing of Penn State Harrisburg baseball's doubleheader at No. 18 Christopher Newport on Saturday afternoon, March 11. 

GAME 1

Self-inflicted wounds cost Penn State Harrisburg (7-3) in the team's 20-9 loss to No. 18 Christopher Newport (13-5) in Saturday's opener. 

Despite outhitting CNU, the Lions erased a seven-run deficit but couldn't overcome the combination of 20 free bases and a pair of defensive miscues. Dallas Hite and Brendan Henn had three hits apiece to lead the way at the plate, with Hite doubling twice and Henn adding a solo home run. 

GAME 2

Penn State Harrisburg (7-4) struggled to get the bats going in an 11-2 loss in the second outing at No. 18 Christopher Newport (14-5) on Saturday afternoon.

It took the Lions five-plus innings to record their first hit of the contest and despite a strong effort from starting pitcher Hunter Merritt, the visitors were never able to put up the crooked number they needed to climb back into after falling behind 4-0 through five frames. Merritt allowed four runs in five innings of work, while Dallas Hite tripled and scored a run. 

NOTABLES

- Henn went 3-for-6 with a home run in the opener.

- Hite finished 3-for-6 with a pair of doubles, two RBI, and a run scored in game one. 

- Kevin Lehner had three hits and an RBI in the first outing. 

- Matt Parks scored a pair of runs and stole a base in the opening contest.

- Hite, Lehner, Ryan Barthlow, and Tim Haft accounted for the Lions' only hits in game two.

- Hite's triple and Haftl's double were the team's extra-base knocks in the second outing.

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions wrap up their three-game weekend series at CNU on Sunday afternoon. 

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.