MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - James Quici hit a game-tying home run, Blaine Waltimyer drove in the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly, and Coy Schwanger tacked on an insurance run in Penn State Harrisburg's 8-6 victory over United East foe Penn State Brandywine on Tuesday afternoon, April 21.
Demetre Koutras III had a three-hit game, while Bill Zentmayer reached base three times and scored three runs. Quici homered, Nathan Lapp doubled, and Schwanger and Tim Haftl had multi-hit days. Bradyn Eckert earned the win after allowing just one run on three hits and striking out seven in six innings of relief.
With Penn State Harrisburg (25-11, 12-0 United East) trailing 6-5 in the sixth, Quici led off the bottom half by swatting the first pitch he saw over the fence in right field to tie things up. Eckert retired Penn State Brandywine (14-16, 5-7 United East) 1-2-3 in the top of the ensuing frame and the home team struck again in the bottom half when Waltimyer's sac fly drove in Haftl to put Penn State Harrisburg back on top. Schwanger came through with a two-out base knock that plated Zentmayer to extend the lead to two after seven frames.
Eckert handled the rest, retiring the visitors in order in the top of the eighth before working around a leadoff single in the top of the ninth by striking out the next two and getting the final batter to foul out to Koutras at first base.
Penn State Brandywine jumped out to a 2-0 lead to begin the game before Penn State Harrisburg tied things up with a pair in the bottom of the second thanks to a single from Zentmayer that scored Matthew Johansen and Lapp's ensuing RBI double. An error allowed the visitors to score three unearned runs in the third but the hometown Lions quickly responded with three of their own in the bottom half.
NOTABLES
- Penn State Harrisburg pitchers allowed just three earned runs on the day.
- Eckert entered to begin the top of the fourth and allowed just one run on three hits, striking out seven in six innings of relief en route to earning his first win of the spring.
- Quici reached base twice and hit his fourth home run of the season.
- Koutras was 3-for-5 with a run scored.
- Zentmayer walked twice, scored three runs, and drove in one more.
- Haftl was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- Schwanger recorded two hits and drove in a run.
- Parker Zook got the start, allowing two earned runs on five hits in three innings of work.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions face a tough non-conference test when they host No. 12 Salisbury on Thursday 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.
