MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's baseball team opened a three-game series against United East foe Penn State Berks with a convincing 11-1 victory on Friday afternoon, April 8.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State Harrisburg (11-14, 8-2 United East) got back on track with a sizable win over conference foe Penn State Berks (9-11, 3-7 United East) in the first contest of a three-game weekend series on Friday afternoon.
Drew Harshbarger was spectacular on the mound, earning the win after striking out 13 batters in seven innings of work. Kevin Lehner went 3-for-4 with a home run, while Matt Parks added a solo shot and three RBI.
The visitors got on the board first, using a lead-off double and a single to score the game's first run in the top of the second but the hometown Lions responded in a big way in the bottom of the frame, taking advantage of three walks, a hit by pitch, an error, and two singles to plate five runs.
Parks added to the lead with a solo home run down the right field line in the bottom of the fourth before the Blue & White tacked on four more in the bottom of the fifth thanks to three walks, a wild pitch, and two hits, including an RBI double by Dallas Hite.
Harshbarger was in control throughout his outing, surrendering just one run on five hits while mowing down 13 before giving way to Roberto Barron in the eighth. Lehner put a cap on the scoring with a solo shot to right field in the seventh and Barron retired all six batters he faced to put it away.
NOTABLES
- For the second outing in a row, Drew Harshbarger struck out 13 batters. He allowed just run on five hits in his second win of the year.
- Four of Penn State Harrisburg's nine hits were extra-base knocks, including two doubles and a pair of solo home runs.
- Kevin Lehner was 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, a walk, and an RBI.
- Matt Parks went 2-for-4 with a game-high three RBI, a walk, and a run scored.
- Chase Smith and Matt Parks each drove in a pair of runs.
- Dakota Wright and Josh Lantz each scored a pair of runs.
- Roberto Barron struck out two batters and did not allow a hit in two innings of relief work.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions wrap up their series with Penn State Berks with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.