MYRTLE BEACH, SC – The University of Valley Forge Baseball Team concluded their Ripken Experience on Friday afternoon.  After splitting a double header on Wednesday, the Patriots lost all four games on Thursday and Friday. 

It was evident that only having 11 guys on this trip caught up to the Patriots.  On Thursday they went up against Penn State Berks.  The game got out of hand early on and finished by a final of 20-3.  In the second game, Hood College took down the Patriots 18-7.  There were several bright spots in the game against Hood.  Freshmen Mason Brown and Chase Hornberger pitched against a solid Hood lineup.  Also, Senior Joshua Strohm hit his second career home-run.  Newcomer Jeffrey Thrappas had 3 hits in the contest.

On Friday, the Patriots lost their opening contest against Mount Aloysius 21-6.  Junior Jonathan Manning pitched well, but was hit by a line-drive in the foot in the 4^th inning and wasn't able to return.  Freshman Matthew Buckery had 3 hits.  Buckery had a great start to his Patriot career, finishing the week with a .609 batting average!

In the final game of the trip the Patriots were taken down by Arcadia University, 13-0. 

When asked about his thoughts from the week, Patriots' Head Coach Tom Pierson said, "It was an up and down week, but we improved in a lot of areas and some of our young men gained valuable experience.  It'll help a lot to get back and get healthy.  We are heading in the right direction and I'm looking forward to what this season has in store."

The Patriots will now head back home and prepare for a Home Tuesday game against Penn State Brandywine @ 3:30PM.

Go Patriots!