Beaver Sweeps Hazleton in PSUAC Season Opener

The Penn State Beaver Nittany Lions baseball team opened its 2007-2008 PSUAC season with victories over Penn State Hazleton, 6-5 and 5-2. 

In game one, it took 9 innings to decide the conference opener. Beaver attacke first, scoring two in the bottom of the first, before Hazleton fought back with three of its own in the top of the second. After Hazleton added another in the top of the third, Beaver answered in the bottom of the inning scoring twice to tie the game at 4-4. Hazleton took the lead in the fourth, scoring once, and Beaver tied it in the bottom of the fifth, scoring once to tie the game, 5-5. The sixth, seventh, and eight innings were the first scoreless innings of the game. Beaver ended it in the bottom of the ninth on sophomore Greg Frederick's (Sewickley, PA / Quaker Valley High School) walk-off ground rule double. Sophomore Joe Scherer (Sewickley, PA / Quaker Valley High School) recorded his first victory of the season, pitching five innings, giving up two hits, no walks or runs, and striking out five. Offensively, the Lions were led by Frederick and senior Ian Thomson (Aliquippa, PA / Hopewell High School) with two hits each and a double. Thomson, Scherer, Frederick, and sophomore Ryan Raraigh (Ellwood City, PA / Riverside High School) each had two hits. 

In game two, freshman Ron Wilkins (Hookstown, PA / South Side High School) pitched a complete game, giving up 8 hits, 2 walks, and 2 earned runs while striking out 5 to earn his first collegiate career victory. Beaver defeated Hazleton, 5-2, led by Thomson's two hits.

The Lions return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 18 when they travel to a 4 p.m. match-up against former WPCC rival Westmoreland County Community College. The Lions will see PSUAC action on Sunday, Sept. 23 when they host Penn State Delaware for a double header at noo.