Phoenixville, PA – The University of Valley Forge Baseball team played host to the Nittany Lions of Penn State Hazelton on Thursday afternoon. The Patriots lost both games of the double header by scores of 14-12 and 8-2.
Game 1.
The Lions scored 7 runs in the 1st, 4 runs in the 2
nd, 1 run the 4
th and 2 runs in the 5
th inning. UVF found themselves down 14-0 going into the bottom of the 5
th inning. The Patriots loaded the bases as Wes Hetrick stepped to the plate. Hetrick roped a ball to deep right center field for a triple that scored 3 runs. Hetrick would then steal home to give the Patriots their 4
th run.
Landyn Traffas then scored on a wild pitch that made the score 14-5 in favor of PSU Hazelton.
UVF needed to keep the Lions from scoring.
James Jackson struck out the side to keep the score at 14-5 going into the bottom of the 6
th inning. The Patriots, again, loaded the bases to begin the 6
th inning.
James Jackson came up to bat and crushed a pitch to deep left center field. Jackson's double cleared the bases and pushed 3 more runs across the plate for Valley Forge. The Patriots closed the Lions lead to 14-8.
James Jackson advanced to third after a PSU Hazelton error and would later score on balk. After 6 innings of play the Lions led by a score of 14-9.
UVF continued the roaring comeback. Valley Forge got the inning going when
Marcus Fultz ripped a single and
Ricky Romero Jr. walked.
Mike Wyndt came in to pinch hit and dropped a single along the left field line that scored Fultz.
James Jackson continued his outstanding day by delivering a clutch double into the gap that scored Romero and Wyndt. The Patriots closed the score to 14-12. Unfortunately that would be a close as they would come. The Patriots lost game 1 by a final score of 14-12.
A Look at the Numbers
Walks and errors continue to plague the Patriots. UVF surrendered 13 walks in just 7 innings and committed 3 errors. The Patriots scored 12 runs on 9 hits while committing 3 errors. PSU Hazelton scored 14 runs on 11 hits while committing 2 errors.
James Jackson pitched 5.2 innings while striking out a season high 7 batters and only allowing 3 runs. Jackson helped himself at the plate by going 2-3 with 2 doubles, a walk and 5 RBI's. Seven other Patriots had hits in the game.
Game 2.
The Patriots couldn't get the bats going in game 2. PSU Hazelton scored 3 runs in the 2
nd and 4 runs in the 3
rd inning. UVF scored 2 in bottom of the 3
rd to make the score 7-2. The Lions would add a run in the top of the 7
th and take game 2 by a final score of 8-2.
A Look at the Numbers
Marcus Fultz led the Patriots offense in game 2. Fultz had 2 hits and an RBI. The Patriots scored 2 runs on 5 hits while committing 2 errors. The Lions scored 8 runs on 7 hits while committed 3 errors.
UP Next
The Patriots will be back in action on Saturday, March 25
th as they travel to Lancaster, PA to play the Chargers of Lancaster Bible College. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm.
Go Patriots!