Baseball Tops No. 17 Rowan to Push Win Streak to 15 Straight

carlos irizarry makes a throw across the infield during a win over no. 17 rowan in 2023

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's baseball team extended its recent win streak to 15 in a row thanks to a 7-1 non-conference victory over No. 17 Rowan on Tuesday afternoon, April 11.

 

Danny Eden earned his fifth win of the year on the mound after going eight innings and allowing just one run to go along with five strikeouts. Matt Parks, Maddux Ryan, and Carlos Irizarry each had multi-hit outings to lead the way at the plate.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Penn State Harrisburg (22-5) quickly erased a first-inning deficit, pulled ahead in the early frames, and never looked back in Tuesday's non-conference victory over nationally-ranked Rowan (18-7).

 

The Profs used a hit by pitch and an RBI double to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first but after Eden stranded a runner at third in the top of the second, Irizarry got the scoring started for the Lions in the bottom half with an RBI double down the third base line that plated Josh Lantz from second base. Lucas Floyd followed with a sacrifice fly to right field that drove in Waltimyer and gave the home team a lead it wouldn't relinquish.

 

In the third, Parks and Brendan Henn executed a double steal that led to a Rowan throwing error and allowed Henn to come home from third base. Irizarry flashed the leather in the top of the fourth when he halted a bases-loaded threat by turning a double play with Ryan to end the half inning. Penn State Harrisburg followed it up with a three-spot thanks to a Dallas Hite RBI double, a Henn sac fly, and an RBI single from Parks.

 

The Lions turned another double play in the top of the fifth and Eden allowed just two baserunners across the next two innings. In the bottom of the seventh, the home team tacked on an insurance run when a wild pitch allowed Kevin Lehner to score from third base.

 

Simeon Davis took over for Eden in the ninth and after the Profs loaded the bases with one out, the reliever worked out with a strikeout and flyout to Floyd in center field that sealed the victory.  

 

NOTABLES

- The win over Rowan is Penn State Harrisburg's fourth victory over a ranked team this season after defeating Arcadia (twice) and Randolph-Macon earlier this spring.

- The win is the 15th in a row for the Lions - tied for the longest active streak in NCAA Division III.

- Eden surrendered just one run and struck out five batters in eight innings thrown to improve to 5-0 on the year on the bump.

- Irizarry finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.

- Parks went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

- Ryan was 2-for-3 with a walk.

- Hite doubled, drove in a run, and scored another.

 

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions return to conference play when they host United East foe Penn College for a weekend series beginning on Friday afternoon.

 

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.