The Patriots took on Penn State Hazleton in a Doubleheader on Tuesday, February 27th. They were able to split the series, taking the first game 5-4!
In the top of the 1st inning, Liam Prepetit was able to pitch a clean inning with a strikeout. The bottom of the 1st saw Joshua Nieberlein reaching base on a walk. After stealing both second and third, he was able to come around and score on a single to take the early 1-0 lead. The 2nd saw another hitless inning for Hazleton and the Patriots were unable to add on to their early score. Another strikeout by Liam Prepetit helped close out the top of the 3rd and a single by Carlos Terc led off the bottom half before a couple strikeouts finished the inning. Another well pitched 4th inning helped the Patriots hold on to their early lead before the offense decided to tack on another run in the bottom of the 4th thanks to an RBI single by Zack Haines to score Aaron Gonzales. Hazleton blew up in the top half of the 5th to put up 4 runs thanks in large part to some key Patriot errors and a clutch single. Liam Prepetit was able to get Valley Forge out of the inning after picking off a runner at 1st base and striking out the last batter of the inning. Down two runs going into the bottom of the 5th, the Patriots needed to create some offense. Carlos Terc and Joshua Nieberlein were able to get on base on a walk and single respectively, then both were able to steal second and third on a double steal! With no outs and runners on second and third, Colin Orndorff sent a line drive out to center field. Scoring both runners and ending up on second for a double to tie the game at 4-4! After stealing third, a ground ball was hit to the third baseman and Colin Orndorff was thrown out at home. Ending the Patriot scoring in the 5th. Besides a Hazleton walk, pitching brought another clean inning for the Patriots in the top of the 6th. Two early outs in the bottom half of the 6th brought in Jacob Dahlman to pinch hit. Thanks to an error by the 3rd baseman he was able to reach, but pinch runner Harrison Derstine was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning. After six strong innings, pitcher Liam Prepetit was taken out of the game for reliever Kaden Gonzales. The first batter of the 7th struck out and two of the next three hit into ground outs to keep the game tied going into the bottom half of the 7th. With a chance to walk the game off, the Patriots sent Carlos Terc to the plate to start the inning. A clutch single to left was just what Valley Forge needed and Joshua Nieberlein got the SAC bunt down to move the runner into scoring position with one out. Colin Orndorff was then intentionally walked and a double steal was run to move him and Carlos Terc into scoring position on second and third. Patrick Trevillion was also intentionally walked to load the bases, bringing up Freshman Aaron Gonzales with a chance to end the game. A fantastic at bat brought upon a full count and a fastball inside to the lefty was called a ball to bring in the winning run to end the game!
Carlos Terc led the team in hits (2), Colin Orndorff led in RBIs (2), and Liam Prepetit finished with a stat line of 2 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, and only 3 earned runs through 6.0 innings pitched!
The Patriots play their next game at Home against Marywood University on Friday March 1st. Game time is 4 PM!
