MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Penn State Harrisburg's baseball team used the long ball to overcome an early deficit and rally for a 5-4 win over United East foe Lancaster Bible in the team's conference opener on Friday afternoon, March 17.
Dallas Hite had a massive day at the plate, hitting a pair of solo home runs, including the go-ahead blast in the eighth inning, to go along with a triple. Josh Berzonski was stellar in relief, earning the win after throwing the final five frames and racking up six strikeouts. Kevin Lehner hit a two-run home run and Matt Parks had a multi-hit outing.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions (8-5) used three home runs and stout pitching in the final six and a half innings to erase a 4-0 deficit and defeat Lancaster Bible (2-9) in the first United East contest of the spring.
The Chargers used three hits, including a double, to score a pair of runs in the top of the opening frame before taking advantage of a Penn State Harrisburg error and tacking on two unearned runs in the top of the third to stretch their advantage to 4-0 through two and a half.
Hite got the scoring started for the Lions when he led off the bottom of the third with a solo shot over the fence in left field but the home team left the bases loaded for the second straight inning. The home team finally put up a crooked number in the fourth after Hite tripled with two away, Brendan Henn reached on an error, and Lehner crushed a two-run homer to straightway center field.
Berzonski entered for starter Fisher Druck in the top of the fifth and proceeded to retire 12 of the next 14 batters, with six coming via strikeout. Hite rewarded him when he slugged his second solo home run of the game with two outs and a full count in the bottom of the eighth to give the Lions their first lead of the day.
It was another 1-2-3 half inning for Berzonski in the top of the ninth, with Matt Parks fielding back-to-back ground balls at third base to seal the comeback victory.
NOTABLES
- Hite went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs, a triple, three runs scored, and two RBI. His homers were his second and third of the year, respectively.
- Berzonski earned his second win of the year in impressive fashion, striking out six in five innings thrown while allowing just one hit with no walks.
- Lehner finished 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk, a pair of RBI, and a run scored. His long ball was his first of the young season.
- Matt Parks was the third Penn State Harrisburg player to have a multi-hit day, going 2-for-4.
- Druck had a solid start, going four innings and allowing just two earned runs on six hits with no walks. He also struck out three batters.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions wrap up their weekend series against Lancaster Bible with a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon.
STAY CONNECTED
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