SCHENECTADY, N.Y. - Behind a strong start from Fisher Druck and three-hit games from James Quici and Tim Haftl, Penn State Harrisburg knocked off the hosts from No. 22/22 Russell Sage 9-2 in the opening contest of NCAA Regional action at Central Park "A" Diamond on Friday afternoon, May 15.
Quici hit his eighth home run of the year and finished a triple shy of the cycle, driving in three runs and scoring two more. Haftl had three hits and drove in three runs, while Alexander Ruiz and Chris Catania scored two runs apiece. Druck allowed just two runs and struck out five in picking up his eighth win of the season.
The Lions (34-13) broke out in the top of the second, using three hits and two errors to put up five runs and take a lead they wouldn't relinquish the rest of the way. Demetre Koutras III led off with a double to left field, Matthew Johansen reached on an error on the ensuing sacrifice bunt, and Ruiz walked to load the bases. Haftl came through with a single to center field that scored a pair and Catania eventually drove in Ruiz with a sac fly. Quici followed with an RBI double before another error allowed him to come across and push the advantage to five.
Druck retired the Gators (36-7) in order in the bottom half and Haftl added to the run total with another RBI single in the top of the third. Russell Sage broke through with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth but Druck worked out, stranding a pair of runners to end the inning and the threat.
Penn State Harrisburg did more damage in the top of the sixth, putting together a two-out rally sparked by a Catania single to left field. He swiped second base and Quici did the rest when he swatted a two-run home run over the fence in right field to pad the lead.
Druck finished off his day by striking out the final two batters he faced in the bottom of the seventh and Blaine Waltimyer added an insurance run in the top of the eighth thanks to an RBI groundout that plated Catania.
Bryant Allison entered in relief in the bottom of the eighth and quickly sat down the Gators in order, striking out two of the batters he faced. Traeton Sauder took the ball from Allison in the ninth and struck out the first two batters he faced before inducing a groundout to Haftl at second base to end the game.
NOTABLES
- The victory was Penn State Harrisburg's sixth all-time in NCAA play.
- The win was Penn State Harrisburg's third over a nationally-ranked foe this season.
- Quici finished 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
- Haftl was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a run scored.
- Catania went 2-for-3, scoring two runs and driving in one more.
- Johansen was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- Druck earned the win, allowing just two runs and striking out five in seven innings of work.
- Allison retired all three batters he faced in the eighth, striking out two of them.
- Sauder struck out a pair during his ninth-inning relief appearance.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions face (RV) Randolph-Macon on Saturday afternoon with a spot in the regional final on the line. 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.
