GRANVILLE, Pa. - Another tremendous season came to an end for Penn State Harrisburg baseball with a 15-8 setback to William Paterson on day two of NCAA Regionals hosted by Denison on Saturday afternoon, May 21. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

For the second day in a row, Penn State Harrisburg (30-17) battled back from an early deficit but was unable to hold a late lead in a season-ending loss to the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Champions from William Paterson (31-14) in NCAA Regional action on Saturday afternoon. 

Kevin Lehner led the way, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, an RBI, and three runs scored. Chase Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI, and a run scored, while Joe Licolli and Dallas Hite also had multi-hit outings. 

After falling behind 4-0 to begin the game, the Lions roared back with a four-run bottom of the second. Drew Sassaman singled and scored on a William Paterson error after a single by Matt Isaac. Llicolli kept the hit parade rolling and Smith drove in a pair with a double to left center. Hite singled through the left side and Matt Parks tied things up with a sacrifice fly to right field. 

The Blue & White took the lead in the fifth when Josh Lantz put the ball in play, allowing Lehner to score from second base following another error by the Pioneers. 

The one-run advantage held until the top of the seventh after starter Drew Harshbarger exited and William Paterson tallied seven runs on six hits, all of which were singles, and a pair of walks. Lehner homered in the bottom half to keep the chance of a rally alive but the Pioneers responded with four more runs in the top of the eighth.

Smith plated Isaac in the bottom of the eighth and a Maddux Ryan RBI single drove in Lehner in the ninth but it proved too little, too late. 

NOTABLES

- Chase Smith ends his historic career with 224 runs scored; the ninth-highest total in NCAA Division III history. He was also hit by 74 pitches during his career; a number good enough to rank sixth all-time among Division III players. 

- Smith went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI, and run scored on Saturday.

- Kevin Lehner finished 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, an RBI, and three runs scored.

- Joe Licolli was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

- Dallas Hite was the fourth Penn State Harrisburg player to have a multi-hit outing.

- Drew Harshbarger got the start and went 5.2 innings, allowing four runs to go along with four strikeouts.

- Penn State Harrisburg's most-recent trip to the NCAA Tournament was the program's fourth all-time. 

IN REVIEW

Penn State Harrisburg's memorable campaign ends with 30 wins, a second consecutive United East Championship, and a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament.

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