CHESTER, Va. - Despite racking up more hits and leading multiple times in the final frames, No. 21 Penn State Harrisburg dropped a heartbreaker to No. 8 Rowan, falling 9-7 in 11 innings in walkoff on Friday afternoon, March 6.
The Lions (5-2) racked up 16 hits on the day with four extra-base knocks but struggled to push runs across in the early innings. Blaine Waltimyer had himself a four-hit game with a double, while James Quici had three hits, including a home run and a double. Alexander Ruiz was the third player to have a three-hit outing.
Penn State Harrisburg got the scoring started in the top of the first when Ruiz drove in Coy Schwanger with an RBI groundout to shortstop but the Profs took advantage of two free bases in the bottom half to plate a pair and take the early lead. From there, the Lions struggled to score the equalizer despite moving runners into scoring position in both the second and third.
The visitors finally broke through in the fourth when Tim Haftl came through with a timely base hit, poking a two-out single into left center field that scored Nathan Lapp and tied the game. The Lions missed out on a chance to take the lead in the fifth after Ruiz and Waltimyer led off the frame with back-to-back singles but reliever Bradyn Eckert ended Rowan's bases-loaded threat in the bottom half to keep the score tied.
Penn State Harrisburg missed out on another prime scoring opportunity in the eighth after Waltimyer led off the stanza with a single and Quici followed with a double to left field. After eventually loading the bases with two outs, the Lions were unable to take advantage of the runners in scoring position as the Profs used an inning-ending strikeout to escape undamaged.
Rowan took advantage in the bottom of the eighth and used a solo home run and two-out infield single to pull ahead 4-2 entering the top of the ninth. But the visitors fought to the last out and a Prof error with two away allowed Haftl to score from third and cut the deficit in half before Coy Baker came up clutch with a two-out, bases-clearing triple to left field that drove in Walter, Quici and Zach Neeld, giving the Lions a 6-4 lead in the process.
The home team's clutch gene was also on display when the Profs used a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to pull even and extend the game. After a scoreless 10th, Quici came through with the biggest swing of his young career in the top of the 11th, launching a solo home run over the fence in left center to give Penn State Harrisburg a 7-6 lead.
Unfortunately for the visitors, Rowan had one big swing left, and in the bottom of the 11th with two runners aboard, Brayden Davis took an 0-2 pitch deep to center field to give the Profs the walkoff win.
NOTABLES
- Penn State Harrisburg outhit the Profs 16-12 but three home runs aided Rowan in their offensive output.
- Waltimyer finished 4-for-6 with a double and a run scored.
- Quici was 3-for-5 with a solo home run, a double, a walk and two runs scored.
- Ruiz went 3-for-6 with an RBI.
- Baker drove in a team-high three runs thanks to a triple during his lone at-bat.
- Fisher Druck got the start, allowing two runs and striking out five in 4.2 innings of work.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions open a three-game series at No. 23 Christopher Newport with a doubleheader 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.
