MYRTLE BEACH, Sc. – Penn State Schuylkill defeated Penn State Beaver in the second half of their Sunday double header at the Ripken Experience.
As Connor Licklider (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) and Ethan Naftzinger (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) stole second and third bases in the bottom of the first, Owen Zimmerman (Shoemakersville, PA / Hamburg Area High School) singled on the next play, driving in runs for Licklider and Naftzinger. With Zimmerman at third base after stealing the plate, Jared Sterner (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) flew out to centerfield, giving Schuylkill their third run of the contest.
Beaver responded in the top of the second inning with two runs. Schuylkill immediately answered in the bottom of the inning as hits by Licklider and Zimmerman ultimately drove in three runs, extending their lead to 6-2.
Licklider grounded out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third to extend Schuylkill's lead to 7-2. An error by Beaver and a sacrifice fly by Tristian Baer (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) on the next two plays gave Schuylkill a commanding 10-2 lead. A single by Zimmerman in the next frame drove in two more runs for Schuylkill.
Beaver gained momentum in the contest following a fifth inning that saw them cross home plate eight times. A single by Naftzinger and an error in the bottom of the sixth inning gave Schuylkill a 15-10 edge heading into the seventh inning. Beaver managed to score twice in the top of the seventh before receiving their third out and conceding the win to Schuylkill.
Zimmerman finished 3 for 4 at plate with 8 RBIs while winning his pitching matchup in 2.0 innings. Kyle Kaminski (Lodi, NJ / Saint Mary High School) went 2 for 3 with a double. Licklider finished with 2 RBIs and a single.
Schuylkill (3-2 overall, 0-0 PSUAC) will take on Westminster College on Monday, March 4th. Start time is set for 10:30 a.m.
