Posted: Apr 24, 2013
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg dropped just its second game in nearly a month to Dickinson on Wednesday, Apr. 24. The Lions were unable to take advantage of their scoring opportunities and left 13 runners on base in the 8-4 loss.
The Dickinson Red Devil's started off Wednesdays contest with a two run shot in the top of the first inning to go up early. Harrisburg notched a run back in the third inning thanks to the DH Branden Rutt (Ephrata, Pa. / Ephrata) taking a pitch to get on base before John Cataldo (Pine Grove, Pa. / Pine Grove) brought him in by getting the ball in the ball in play to score the runner.
The Red Devils increased their lead with a strong 4th inning that produced three more runs giving them a 5-1 lead going into the bottom of the 4th. Harrisburg quickly brought the game back within reach thanks to first baseman Brian Balshy (Palmyra, Pa. / Palmyra), who singled to Left field to bring in Travis Crammer (Cerritos, Cal / Cerritos) and Dalton Trolinger (Carlisle Pa. / Cumberland Valley).
Harrisburg let the game slip away when they allowed three unearned runs in the sixth inning, which put the home squad down 8-3 with their remaining at bats starting to dwindle. They did get one more run thanks to a Clay Thrasher (Hummelstown, Pa. / Lower Dauphin) single to right field which scored Balshy. This duo were the only two who really got going today, both going 2-3 and combining for 3 out of the 4 RBI's the Blue and White produced.
Harrisburg will have to refocus on the task at hand this upcoming weekend. They still are in a position to win their three remaining games and earn the title of regular season champion as well as the honor of hosting the conference championships next weekend.
The lions host the Gallaudet Bison on Saturday for a double header and then face off against Penn State Abington for their final regular season game of the year on Sunday. Sunday's game is a replay of a loss Harrisburg originally had last weekend, before an illegal bat being used by Abington gave cause to replay the game from the point of the first dispute. Should make for an extremely exciting weekend of collegiate baseball.