After a slow start at the plate in the first two innings on Saturday, the Lions pounced on the Bison in the top of the third. Kevin Kremer (Hershey, Pa. / Hershey) hit a single, sending Blake Reiff (Manheim, Pa. / Manheim Central) and Justin O'Dell (Milford, Pa. / Delaware Valley) home for Harrisburg's first two runs of the game. The Lions extended their lead in the fifth when Will Quiles (Tamiment, Pa. / East Stroudsburg North) was walked in after a bases loaded at bat by Russell Boop (Langhorne, Pa. / Neshaminy). In the same inning Reiff was driven home after a sacrifice fly to center field by Ian Maier-Breed (Lumberton, N.J. / Holy Cross). Harrisburg finished the day 5-1 against the Bison. Starting pitcher, Bobby Patterson (Wall, N.J. / Wall), took home the win for the Lions after 5 innings, only giving up 3 hits. Brendan Riotto (Exton, Pa. / Bishop Shanahan) pitched two innings with an impressive four strike outs.
Harrisburg faced the Bison again on Sunday with a 6-2 win. Pitcher Travis Vam Houten (Saylorsburg, Pa. / Pleasant Valley) led for the Lions with six strike outs over the first four innings. Brendan Miller (Williamstown, Pa. / Williams Valley) also came up big with 4 strike outs. David Klein (Sugarloaf, Pa. / Hazleton Area) put Harrisburg on the board first in the first inning after a double to center field from teammate Connor Bowers (Mount Joy, Pa. / Donegal). Harrisburg extended its lead in the third inning with an impressive 5 runs. The first of the runs were scored on an error by the Bison. Next, Kremer was driven home on a single to the third base side by Josh Brubaker (Lancaster, Pa. / Lancaster County Christian). Michael Hill (West Chester, Pa. / B Reed Henderson) drove home two with a strong double to right-center and Hill scored an unearned run to close out the inning. Head Coach Ryan Bown was happy with the teams opening weekend, "Best part of the weekend was we used everyone to win games and they all contributed. That will create healthy competition amongst our team so we can continue to get better."
Penn State Harrisburg will travel to Bridgewater on Saturday February 27th for a double-header. Game time's will be 12 and 3:30 pm.