Myrtle Beach, SC – The University of Valley Forge Baseball team opened their spring break trip by playing against the Nittany Lions of Penn State Schuylkill.  The Patriots fell by a final score of 5-3.

UVF got on the scoreboard in the top of the 1^st inning.  After James Jackson singled through the left side of the infield, Cody Rak crushed a fastball into the left center gap scoring Jackson from first.  The Patriots led 1-0 going into the bottom of the 1^st inning. 

PSU Schuylkill answered and took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 1^st inning.  UVF came to bat in the top of the 2^nd inning and retook the lead.  UVF loaded the bases with two outs and went to work.  After James Jackson was hit by a pitch that scored Wes Hetrick, Cody Rak picked up his 2^nd RBI of the game when he roped a single to center.  Rak's single scored Darryl Ivester which gave the Patriots a 3-2 lead. 

UVF held a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the 5^th inning.  The Lions picked up a run in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game at 3-3.  Schuylkill would add 2 more runs in the bottom of the 6^th to take a 5-3 lead.  The Patriots had the bases loaded in the top of the 6^th inning but were unable to push any runs across the plate.  UVF fell by a final score of 5-3.   

Coach's Quote
Assistant Coach Ben McCluskey said: "We are very happy with the teams progress and how we are starting to come together as a team.  The effort that the guys have been giving will translate into wins."

A Look at the Numbers
James Jackson went the distance for Valley Forge.  UVF scored 3 runs on 5 hits while committing no errors.  Cody Rak had a good day at the plate going 2-3 with a single, a double and 2 RBI's.  Penn State Schuylkill scored 5 runs on 10 hits while committing no errors.

Up Next

UVF will be right back on the field tomorrow in Myrtle Beach as they take on Chatham University.  The double header at the Ripken Experience is scheduled to start at 3:30.  

Go Patriots!