WOOSTER, Ohio - In a battle of programs receiving votes in the most recent D3baseball.com/NCBWA Top 25 Poll, Penn State Harrisburg couldn't hold a late lead in an 8-7, 10-inning setback at Wooster in the finale of a three-game weekend series on Sunday afternoon, March 15.
Alexander Ruiz had a three-hit day and drove in four runs, while Blaine Waltimyer matched the program's single-game record for walks with four on the day. On the mound, Traeton Sauder and Benjamin Ross each threw an inning of scoreless relief.
After mustering just two runs through the first eight innings, the Lions (8-6) erupted for five in the top of the ninth to erase a two-run deficit and pull ahead for the first time. Tim Haftl got the rally started with an infield single and Jon Morgante reached base after getting hit by a pitch. Waltimyer was intentionally walked to load the bases and Coy Schwanger worked a patient at-bat that led to a bases-loaded walk that cut the deficit to one. Ruiz came through during the next at-bat with a clutch, bases-clearing double to center field that put Penn State Harrisburg ahead and Demetre Koutras III brought him around with a two-out, RBI single up the middle that stretched the lead to three.
The Scots (12-3) refused to go away, however, and in the bottom of the ninth put together their own rally, this time started by a pair of seeing-eye singles through the left and right sides of the infield. Then came the big blow when Maanav Bhatt swatted the first pitch of his at-bat over the fence in right center field to tie the game at seven. Drew Barshinger entered in relief for the Lions and retired the next three batters but after the visitors went down in order in the top of the 10th, Wooster took advantage of a leadoff walk in the bottom half, followed it up with a stolen base and ended the game with a walkoff single to left field.
NOTABLES
- Sunday's contest was Penn State Harrisburg's fourth extra-inning game this season.
- Ruiz went 3-for-5 with a double, four RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
- Waltimyer walked four times to match the single-game program record.
- Koutras had a multi-hit day, finishing with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
- Schwanger reached base three times thanks to a single and two walks.
- Ross retired all three batters he faced in the eighth inning, striking out two of them.
- Sauder also threw a scoreless inning of relief in the fifth.
- A pair of errors cost the Lions, as Wooster scored a pair of unearned runs that proved the difference.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions will look to bounce back when they host Wilkes on Wednesday afternoon.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.
