Penn State Harrisburg 13, Penn College 9

Harrisburg Lineup

1. Williams lf, 2. McSorley ss, 3. Smith cf, 4. Van Houten dh, 5. Koroneos 1b, 6. Aug c, 7. Parks 3b, 8. Angstadt rf, 9. Struve 2b, Elliott p

Penn College Lineup

1. Zelger ss, 2. Carles cf, 3. Lennon lf, 4. Kittle c, 5. Riley 1b, 6. Hofmann, 7. Flicker dh, 8. Ketterman 3b, 9. Zeigler rf, Holt p

How It Happened

Penn State Harrisburg secured its second non-conference victory in as many days by holding off a late push by Penn College in a 13-9 victory on Wednesday afternoon, March 27.

Bret Williams led the way with three hits, including a pair of doubles, while Chase Smith drove in a game-best two runs. On a day when the Lions (14-4-1) used eight different pitchers, starter Thomas Elliott got the win and reliever Justin Kaplan earned the save.

Williams led off the game with a double to left field before Smith's RBI single to right field brought the lead-off man around. Smith eventually scored on a Penn College error to put the home team ahead 2-0 after the opening inning.

The Wildcats (2-8) cut the deficit in half thanks to Britton Kittle's solo home run in the top of the second but the Blue & White answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame. Jackson Struve showed off his wheels by scoring from second base on a Williams' sacrifice fly to right field after his double drove in Matt Parks earlier in the inning.

The Lions started to break things open thanks to a three-run fifth stanza that saw a Smith single plate Struve, Williams and Smith execute a first and third double steal. The visitors also committed an error that allowed Smith to push across and make it 7-1 heading into the sixth.

Each team added a run in the seventh, with Penn State Harrisburg's tally coming when Ryan McSorley's double to left center field drove in Dallas Hite.

The eighth inning was a scorefest, with each squad putting up five runs in their respective halves. After Penn College cut the deficit to one run in the top of the frame, the Lions responded by stretching the lead to 13-7 in the bottom half. Nate Bream scored on a Scott Angstadt sac fly, Miguel Torres came home on a wild pitch, Tucker Ell plated following an error and another defensive miscue allowed McSorley and Caden Malone to come across.

The Wildcats tried to chip away in the ninth but Kaplan closed the door on any potential rally when he got Joe Gaumer to pop out in front of the mound to end the game.

At the Plate

- Bret Williams stayed hot, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.

- Chase Smith finished 2-for-3, scored two runs and drove in two more.

- Jackson Struve went 1-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a pair of runs scored.

- Travis Van Houten, Scott Angstadt and Matt Taylor drove in one run each.

On the Mound

- Thomas Elliott got the start and the win, throwing the first two innings and allowing one run on one hit.

- Relievers Nick Fitzgerald, Tyler Stabley, Kieran Kearns, Phoenix Spiller and Hunter Crawford threw one inning apiece.

- Justin Kaplan recorded a five-out save, throwing the final 1.2 frames.

- Nathan Holt took the loss for Penn College after allowing three earned runs on four hits and a walk.

Around the Diamond

- Bret Williams and Chase Smith stole one bag each for the Blue & White.

- Six Wildcat errors led to five unearned runs.

- Penn State Harrisburg committed three errors, leading to a pair of unearned runs.

- Chase Smith had three putouts in center field.

Who's Next?

The Lions face a tough test when they get back to Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) play by hosting No. 18 Salisbury for a three-game series this weekend.