SALISBURY, Md. - For the third time in as many outings, Penn State Harrisburg's baseball team was unable to hold a multi-run lead in the final innings against a nationally-ranked team and fell 8-6 at No. 5 Salisbury on Thursday afternoon, March 7.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite Penn State Harrisburg (4-4) moving runners into scoring position in each of the first two innings, it was Salisbury (6-3) who struck first with a run in the bottom of the second and two more in the third.
The Lions eventually broke through in the fifth when a Lucas Floyd double to right center drove in Braeden Piotrowski and Drew Bechtold, cutting the deficit to one. The visitors eventually drew even later in the stanza when Kevin Lehner came through with a two-out single up the middle that plated Floyd from third base.
After Danny Eden retired the Sea Gulls in order in the bottom of the fifth, Penn State Harrisburg took the lead in the top of the sixth when an SU throwing error allowed Julian Belardo to score on a Bechtold fielder's choice. The Lions added another run thanks to a Floyd infield single that drove in Piotrowski to make it 5-3.
The home team took advantage of a pair of walks and a single to begin the bottom of the sixth, eventually scoring three runs in the frame to reclaim the lead.
Penn State Harrisburg answered back in the eighth and tied things at 6-6 when Carlos Irizarry scored on a wild pitch. The Lions moved a pair into scoring position with two away but were unable to plate the go-ahead run, opening the door for the Sea Gulls to pull back in front with two runs in the bottom half.
The visitors last chance ended with a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.
NOTABLES
- Floyd finished 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.
- Lehner went 2-for-5 with an RBI.
- Piotrowski scored a pair of runs.
- Eden got the start and allowed three earned runs on six hits and four walks in five innings thrown. He also struck out four batters.
- The Lions stranded five runners in scoring position.
WHO'S NEXT?
The Lions wrap up their two-game series at Salisbury on Friday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
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.