Redhawks catch prey; down Lions in doubleheader
By Bert DeSalvo, Staff Writer
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Pittsburgh, PA - The Penn State Beaver Nittany Lions dropped a pair of games to non-conference opponent, the La Roche College Redhawks (Pittsburgh, PA), as they searched for their first win of the season.
Both teams struggled at the plate early in the first game. La Roche managed to score two runs on three hits and a Nittany Lions error to make the score 2-0. Beaver, however, mustered just one hit (1 left on base) through the first five innings.
Despite their difficulties, Beaver's offense found a way to manufacture runs in the sixth inning. After Andy DiPietrantonio (Beaver High School/Beaver, PA) reached on a La Roche error, Alex Filippi (Center High School/Monaca, PA) walked along with Garrett Covalt (Hopewell High School/Aliquippa) to load the bases with one out. After DiPietrantonio scored on another La Roche error, Zack DelTurko (Monaca High School/Monaca, PA) hit an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2. Unfortunately, Beaver stranded two runners in scoring position as they couldn't take the lead.
The game remained tied until La Roche scored the game-winning run in extra innings on a bases-loaded walk.
In the second game, Beaver seemed primed to earn its first win of the year. The Nittany Lions scored in the first inning as Zeke Nowakowski (Central Valley High School/Monaca, PA) singled in Filippi to give Beaver a slim 1-0 lead. Although the Redhawks tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning, Beaver quickly responded in their half of the fourth.
Beaver scored three runs on just one hit in the inning. The lone hit was an RBI single by starting pitcher Joe Bachor (Ambridge High School/Ambridge, PA). In addition, Filippi had a sac fly to also notch an RBI in the frame.
Although Bachor allowed just two hits headed into the fifth inning, the Redhawks chipped away at the Lions' lead to make the score 4-3 and added three more runs in the sixth to squash Beaver's chances of winning their first game of the year.
In the loss, Beaver left eight runners on base and out-hit La Roche by a 9-5 margin.
Beaver, now 0-6 overall and 0-0 in the PSUAC, will take on NAIA foe Point Park University at 1 p.m., Sunday, March 20.