Middletown Pa. - Today's double header for the Penn State Harrisburg was a special one as not only was it opening day for the men's baseball team, but it was also Senior Day. The Lions have four seniors on the team this year who have all been a big part in the continued success of the men's baseball program. These seniors include twin brothers Tom Chaney (Lancaster, Pa. / Lampeter-Strasburg) and Will Chaney (Lancaster, Pa. /Lampeter-Strasburg), Cody Henry (Halifax, Pa. / Halifax) and Clint Hicks (State College, Pa. / State College).
The Lions were matched up against a tough St. Mary's team for the special day and found themselves in a hole early in game one as St. Mary's was able to take a 2-0 lead. The Blue and White defense then held their ground as they would not allow any more runs.
Harrisburg gave themselves multiple opportunities to tie the game up as they put runners in scoring positions multiple times, but St. Mary's had the answer each time the Lions looked to score. The game finished in a defensive standstill with the Seahawks claiming the 2-0 win.
As if the first game never happened the Lions rallied and turned the tables on the Seahawks and took the early lead going up three to nothing in the first. The Lions offense came from the entire lineup as they added another run in the third inning followed by two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Pitcher Derek Slagle (York Haven, Pa. /Red Land) gave the Lions a spark as the lefty came in throwing strike after strike and forcing Seahawk batters to ground or fly out.
Unfortunately the large lead for the home team slowly slipped away. The Seahawks rallied late behind a two run homer by Max Godwin that made the score 6-2 in the seventh before a giant five run inning in the top of to go ahead 7-6. Penn State Harrisburg put out a valiant effort, but came up a bit short against and very tough St. Mary's team.
The Lions will look to come back strong as they will take on the top team in the nation Salisbury on Monday March 30th.