Beaver Baseball Advances to USCAA Semi-Final Game

Old Orchard Beach, ME - On Tuesday, May 11, in the second round of the USCAA National Baseball Tournament, the #5 seed Penn State Beaver Nittany Lions defeated the #1 seed Newport News Apprentice School Builders, 2-1.

Apprentice took the early lead, scoring one in the bottom of the first on a walk, stolen base, and one hit. The score remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth. Freshman Vinnie Beatty (Rochester High School, Rochester, PA) led the inning off with a single. Freshman Alex Filippi (Center High School, Monaca, PA) sacrificed Beatty to second, and senior Ryan Raraigh (Riverside High School, Fombell, PA) grounded out to move Beatty to third.

With two outs, freshman Markus Allen (Union High School, New Castle, PA) singled to left center to bring home Beatty, tying the game, 1-1. The game remained tied after seven innings.

In the top of the ninth, Beaver scored an unearned run to take the lead. Senior Greg Frederick(Quaker Valley High School, Fair Oaks, PA) reached on a throwing error. Frederick advanced to third on freshman Tom Lewis' (Hopewell High School, Aliquippa, PA) ground out. Frederick eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Apprentice tried to rally in the ninth, but Frederick was called upon in the ninth with two outs and the tying run standing 90 feet from home plate. Frederick responded by striking out the only batter he faced to earn the save.

Senior Joe Scherer (Quaker Valley High School, Sewickley, PA) pitched 8 2/3 strong innings to take the win. Scherer gave up one earned run, eight hits, and walked two while striking out five.

The win advanced Beaver to the USCAA semi-final game where they'll take on the winner of the Briarcliffe v. University of Cincinnati game at 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 12. 

For live stats and live play-by-play, visit www.theuscaa.com and click on the Baseball Tournament link.