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matt johansen awaits a pitch at the plate during a win at york (pa.) in 2025
5
Penn St. Harrisburg PSHM 10-2
6
Winner Salisbury SAL 10-2
Penn St. Harrisburg PSHM
10-2
5
Final
6
Salisbury SAL
10-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Penn St. Harrisburg PSHM 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 10 0
Salisbury SAL 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 3 6 13 0

W: J. Rivera (1-0) L: Eden, Danny (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Thomas Klemick

No. 13 Baseball Can't Hold Off No. 9 Salisbury In Late-Inning Heartbreaker

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - An inability to drive in runners in scoring position in the final innings proved costly for No. 13 Penn State Harrisburg in a narrow 6-5 loss to No. 9 Salisbury at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State on Friday afternoon, March 14. 


Fisher Druck turned in a strong start, allowing just two runs with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings thrown. Blaine Waltimyer had a three-hit day and scored three times. Matthew Johansen also had a multi-hit outing and drove in three runs.


The Lions (10-2) opened the game on a tear, using four hits and a walk to score three runs in the top of the first frame. Alexander Ruiz singled to right field with the bases loaded to score Drew Sassaman and Demetre Koutras III before a Johansen single up the middle plated Waltimyer to make it 3-0 early on. 


Druck allowed just one baserunner through the first two innings and Penn State Harrisburg manufactured another run in the top of the third. Koutras and Waltimyer worked back-to-back walks to begin the stanza, Ruiz moved them along with a sacrifice bunt and a Johansen ground ball drove in Koutras to extend the lead to four.


After the Seagulls (10-2) got on the board with a single run in the bottom of the fourth, the Lions answered back in the top of the ensuing frame when Johansen singled to center field and scored Koutras from second base with two outs, pushing the advantage back to four.


Salisbury cut the deficit to three in the bottom of the sixth but reliever Bradyn Eckert stranded a pair of runners to keep the Seagulls at bay. Penn State Harrisburg had a chance to respond in the top of the seventh but left runners on second and third to end the inning. SU pulled to within 5-3 with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh and the Lions were unable to score a runner from second base in the top of the eighth. 


In the ninth, Penn State Harrisburg loaded the bases after Waltimyer got a two-out rally going with a double to center field but for the third time in as many stanzas, the Lions were unable to capitalize. Unfortunately, after getting two quick outs to begin the bottom of the ninth, three walks doomed them, as Salisbury needed just two hits to score three runs and steal the walk-off win. 


NOTABLES
- The Lions stranded nine runners in scoring position, including five in the final three innings. 
- Druck turned in a strong start, allowing just two runs and striking out five in 5.1 innings thrown.
- Waltimyer went 3-for-3 with a double, two walks and a run scored. 
- Johansen finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
- Koutras was 1-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored.
- Ruiz went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.


WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions continue their weekend at Yogi Berra Stadium when they face MIT on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.


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

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