NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - After four road games in three days against nationally-ranked opponents that saw No. 21 Penn State Harrisburg outhit their counterparts in three of them, the Lions finally secured a well-deserved win in a 10-6, 10-inning victory over No. 23 Christopher Newport on Sunday afternoon, March 8.
As a group, Penn State Harrisburg (6-4) racked up a season-high 20 hits, led by a four-hit game by Demetre Koutras III. Alexander Ruiz hit a 3-run, game-tying home run in the eighth after doubling to start the game's scoring. Blaine Waltimyer reached base four times, while Coy Schwanger, James Quici, Braeden Piotrowski and Nathan Lapp each had multi-hit outings. Justin Borger struck out eight in the first start of his collegiate career and Cade Baker earned his second win of the season after throwing three scoreless innings of relief.
Trailing 6-3 with two away in the top of the eighth, Ruiz blasted the first pitch of his at-bat over the fence in left field, driving in Waltimyer and Koutras in the process to tie the game. Baker retired the Captains (10-4) in order in both the eighth and ninth frames before the bats did the rest in the top of the 10th. The Lions worked back-to-back walks before Adam Bova was hit by a pitch and Jon Morgante singled in the go-ahed run. Piotrowski walked to push Quici across and Schwanger plated Morgante with an RBI single to center field two at-bats later. Baker closed the door in the bottom half to seal the win in the series finale.
Penn State Harrisburg opened the scoring in the top of the first with a two-out, RBI double to right center field that scored Koutras from first base but CNU answered with the equalizer in the bottom half. The Lions left four on base across the next three stanzas and the Captains made them pay by plating a pair and taking the lead in the bottom of the fourth.
Christopher Newport tacked on two more thanks to a two-run home run in the fifth but the visitors chipped away in the top of the sixth, with a Lapp single through the left side scoring Tim Haftl and a Waltimyer sacrifice fly driving in Piotrowski. After the Captains got one back in the bottom of the seventh, Penn State Harrisburg put together a two-out rally that started with a Waltimyer walk and a Koutras single through the left side before Ruiz played the hero and extended the game with his 3-run blast to left field.
NOTABLES
- Sunday's road game was Penn State Harrisburg's fourth in three days against a nationally-ranked opponent after facing No. 8 Rowan on Friday and CNU in doubleheader action on Saturday.
- The most recent contest was the third extra-inning game for the Lions this spring.
- Penn State Harrisburg's 20 hits on Sunday were the most in a game this season.
- Ruiz went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, three walks, four RBI and two runs scored.
- Koutras finished 4-for-6 with a walk and two runs scored.
- Waltimyer reached base four times thanks to a pair of hits and two walks, scoring one run and driving in another.
- Piotrowski went 2-for-3 with two walks, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.
- Quici was 2-for-5 with a double, a walk and a run scored.
- Lapp finished 2-for-5 with a walk and an RBI.
- Baker earned the win, allowing just one hit with two strikeouts in three scoreless innings to end the game.
- Borger struck out eight batters in four innings thrown.
- Dylan Sattazahn allowed just one hit and struck out three in 1.2 innings of relief.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions return home to host non-conference foe York (Pa.) on Tuesday 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.
