COLUMBIA, Md. - The bats were out in full force for No. 21/25 Penn State Harrisburg in a 14-7 non-conference victory over Stevenson at Blendair Park on Sunday night, Feb. 23.


Brendan Henn led the way, racking up four hits, including a pair of triples, and driving in four runs. Drew Sassaman also had a multi-hit outing with two RBIs, while Coy Schwanger doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Blaine Waltimyer, Matthew Johansen and Demetre Koutras III also scored two runs apiece. 


On the mound, Penn State Harrisburg pitchers combined to strike out 17 Mustang batters, with Benjamin Ross earning the win after striking out nine in four innings of relief work. 


After three scoreless innings, the Lions (3-0) broke through in the top of the fourth, using three hits, three walks and a balk to put up five runs. Waltimyer's infield single plated the game's first run before Henn cleared the bases with a three-run triple to right field later in the frame. Ross struck out the side in the bottom of the fourth and the visitors tacked on another run in the sixth when Henn and Sassaman executed a double steal that resulted in the former swiping home. 


The Mustangs (1-3) got something going in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs and cutting the deficit to two but Penn State Harrisburg answered back with three runs in the top of the eighth. Alexander Ruiz worked a bases-loaded walk that plated Johansen and Schwanger followed it up with an RBI double that scored Braeden Piotrowski and Henn. 


After a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth, the Lions added five insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Henn drove in his fourth run of the game with an RBI single to center field and Sassaman drove in two more with a single to right field before a pair of bases-loaded walks from Dinzey Feliz and Moises Gonzalez capped the scoring for Penn State Harrisburg. 


Stevenson scored three in the bottom half but reliever Roberto Barron closed the door on any potential comeback effort by striking out the final batter to end the game. 


NOTABLES
- Henn had a massive day at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 from the leadoff spot with two triples, a walk, four RBIs and three runs scored. 
- Sassaman was 2-for-5 with a walk, two RBIs and a run scored.
- Schwanger doubled, drove in two runs and walked once. 
- Henn, Sassaman and Schwanger also stole one base apiece.
- Johansen, Waltimyer and Koutras each scored two runs.
- Ross earned the win, allowing just two hits and striking out nine in four innings of relief.
- Aidan Bergholc got the start, surrendering just one hit with four strikeouts.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions travel to Baltimore and will face Johnson & Wales on the campus of Johns Hopkins on Saturday morning. 


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