MYRTLE BEACH, SC – The University of Valley Forge Men's Baseball Team opened up the season Monday night playing a double header.  In the first match-up, against Penn State Schuylkill, the team fell behind early and lost by a final score of 8-5. 

Talking about his team afterwards, Head Coach Tom Pierson said, "Although we didn't get a victory, I was very pleased with our first outing.  This was the first time we've been outside on a field all season.  We played solid defense and played together.  I couldn't ask for anything more."

Schuylkill jumped out to an early 4-0 lead.  In the third inning, Patriots' newcomer Jeffrey Thrappas doubled to left field to bring in Matthew Buckery and Joshua Strohm.  Buckery, a freshman from Wilmington, DE, was 1-3 and scored twice.  Strohm led the Patriots with 2 hits of his own.  Schuylkill countered with three runs in the 5^th to push the lead to 7-2.  Then, Senior Jared Boothman singled to center to make it 7-3.  Trailing 8-3 in the 7^th inning, Sophomore Steve Profetto hit his first career home run to make it 8-5!  The Patriots were unable to keep the comeback going and went on to lose 8-5.
 
In the second contest, the Patriots lost to Penn State Mont Alto, 12-2.  Buckery continued his hot start to his college career with a double and a triple.  He scored the Patriots only two runs.  Boothman also had a good game at the plate, going 2 for 2 with an RBI.

Pierson also talked about the play of the new guys, "Our newcomers did a great job today!  They came ready to play and really contributed.  I like where our team is heading."

Go Patriots!