SALISBURY, Md. - Penn State Harrisburg's baseball team had its chances but struggled to capitalize in an 8-2 loss at No. 5 Salisbury in the final outing of a two-game series on Friday afternoon, March 8.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lions (4-5) tallied four hits in the first three innings and moved four runners into scoring position in the second and third frames but were unable to strike first, opening the door for the Sea Gulls (7-3) to draw first blood and score three runs in the bottom of the third. 

Penn State Harrisburg finally broke through in the top of the fourth when Coy Schwanger hit his first career home run - a solo shot - to get the visitors on the board. Later in the stanza, Lucas Floyd's RBI groundout to first base drove in Braeden Piotrowski to cut the deficit to one. 

The home team answered with three more runs in the bottom half, however, and despite a promising start to the fifth for the Lions, a double play wiped out a potential scoring response. SU tacked on two more with a home run that grazed the foul pole in left field in the seventh and the visitors were unable to mount a comeback attempt in the final two frames. 

NOTABLES

- Drew Sassaman finished 3-for-4.

- Dallas Hite had a multi-hit outing.

- Piotrowski went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

- Schwanger's home run was the first of his young career.

- Dylan Sattazahn got the start on the bump and went 3.1 innings.

- Sam Thompson threw 3.1 innings of relief and struck out four.

- Roberto Barron allowed one hit and one walk in the final 1.1 innings. 

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions will try to end their four-game skid when they travel to No. 11 Christopher Newport for doubleheader action on Sunday. 

STAY CONNECTED 

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