Penn State Harrisburg 5, Lynchburg 2 – Game 1

Harrisburg Lineup

1. Van Houten 3b, 2. Williams 3b, 3. Smith cf, 4. Torres ss, 5. Winters lf, 6. Koroneos 1b, 7. O'Dell rf, 8. Aug c, 9. Struve 2b

Lynchburg Lineup

1. Shaffer lf, 2. Sheeder ss, 3. Carson dh, 4. Jackson 1b, 5. Warren c, 6. McDonald rf, 7. Atkins cf, 8. Alvanos 3b, 9. Cumbea 2b, Campbell p

How It Happened

Behind a strong all-around performance from Travis Van Houten, Penn State Harrisburg earned a 5-2 victory at Lynchburg in the opening game of a day/night doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, March 2.

Van Houten earned the victory on the bump and drove in a pair of runs to lead the way for the Lions (2-0-1), while Miguel Torres went 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Casey Winters also had a multi-hit afternoon, finishing with a triple and a double.

The Blue & White quickly got on the board in the top of the first inning when a Van Houten ground out pushed Bret Williams across. The visitors put up a crooked number in the third frame when a Torres single scored Jackson Struve, a Van Houten sacrifice fly plated Chase Smith, and a Casey Winters' triple brought home Torres.

The Lions tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Tyler Aug's aggressive baserunning allowed Justin O'Dell to score from third base and expand the lead to 5-0.

The Hornets finally got on the board with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh but Brendan Riotto came on in relief and allowed just one hit in the final 2.2 innings to secure the victory for Penn State Harrisburg in the opening contest.

At the Plate

- Miguel Torres was 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.

- Travis Van Houten drove in a game-high two runs.

- Casey Winters finished 2-for-4 with a triple, a double and an RBI.

- The Lions managed three extra-base hits in game one.

On the Mound

- Travis Van Houten earned the win after throwing six scoreless innings and scattering just three hits to go along with three strikeouts.

- Brendan Riotto was strong in relief, allowing just one hit and striking out five batters in 2.2 innings of work.

- The Blue & White chased Lynchburg starter Hunter Campbell from the game after six innings after scoring five runs on eight hits and a walk.

Around the Diamond

- Penn State Harrisburg was clean in the field in the opener.

- The Hornets committed the game's lone error which led to one unearned run.

- Lynchburg racked up three stolen bases.

- The Lions were twice caught stealing.

Lynchburg 8, Penn State Harrisburg 7 – Game 2

Harrisburg Lineup

1. Williams lf, 2. Smith cf, 3. Torres ss, 4. Van  Houten 3b, 5. Winters dh, 6. Koroneos 1b, 7. Kell c, 8. O'Dell rf, 9. Struve 2b, Gettys p

Lynchburg Lineup

1. Shaffer 2b, 2. Carson dh, 3. Jackson 3b, 4. Combs 1b, 5. Warren rf, 6. Fiedler c, 7. McDonald lf, 8. Atkins cf, 9. Sheeder ss, Pond p

How It Happened

Penn State Harrisburg suffered its first loss of the year by the slimmest of margins, falling 8-7 at Lynchburg in the second contest of a day/night doubleheader on Saturday night, March 2.

Bret Williams scored a pair of runs and drove in one more after going 3-for-4 at the dish. Chase Smith and Travis Van Houten also had multi-hit outings, with Van Houten recording two RBI and Smith adding a double for the Lions (2-1-1).

Trailing by one run in the top of the ninth inning, the visitors had a chance to retake the lead after loading the bases with one out. Unfortunately for the Blue & White, the Hornets (2-5) got a strike out and ground out to record the final two outs and escape with the narrow win.

The Lions jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the top of the first thanks to a Smith double that allowed Williams to score before a Casey Winters groundout plated Smith later in the frame.

Lynchburg put up a pair of runs in the bottom of the stanza to draw even before its offense really came to life in a second inning that saw the home team score three runs. Penn State Harrisburg closed the gap when a Van Houten single drove in two runs in the fifth before pulling even thanks to a Williams RBI single in the top of the sixth.

After the Hornets retook the lead, the Blue & White tied the game at 7-7 following a wild pitch that allowed Tyler Aug to score and a Smith single that brought home Justin O'Dell in the top of the eighth frame.

The home team pulled back out in front for the last time in the bottom of the stanza and despite threatening in the top of the ninth, the Lions were unable to match Lynchburg and extend the game.

At the Plate

- Bret Williams was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

- Travis Van Houten went 2-for-4 with a walk and a pair of RBI.

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

- Justin O'Dell added a double and Casey Winters drove in one run.

On the Mound

- Zach Gettys got the start for Penn State Harrisburg but exited after 1.2 innings of work.

- Michael De Leon was solid in relief, racking up four strikeouts and not surrendering a hit in 3.1 innings thrown.

- Justin Kaplan was credited with the loss despite allowing just one run on one hit and two walks.

- Lycnhburg's Kinston Carson earned the win.

Around the Diamond

- Penn State Harrisburg's lone error led to a pair of unearned runs.

- The Hornets committed one error but it did not lead to any unearned tallies.

- Miguel Torres and Justin O'Dell each stole one base.

- Lynchburg baserunners combined for three swiped bags.

Who's Next?

The Lions head south to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to face Lehman on their first day of spring break competition on Monday evening, March 4.

Stay Connected

Be sure to follow the Lions on Instagram (@pennstatehbgathletics), Twitter (@PSHbgAthletics), and Facebook (Penn State Harrisburg Athletics) for all the latest on Penn State Harrisburg athletics.