Penn State takes on Penn State New Kensington in home opener

By : Khalia Adams

On a chilly day Beaver would start off hot scoring 5 runs in the top of the first inning. Earning the RBI's were Seniors Nick Cassanta (Moon Twp, PA / Moon), Jordan Price (Conway, PA / Freedom), and Zach Ulrich (Seabrook, Texas / Clearfalls). Freshman Justin Francona (New Brighton, PA / New Brighton) also contributed a RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field. After holding New Kensington scoreless in the1st inning, Beaver tallied three more runs in the top of the second to take a 8-0 lead. New Kensington finally got on the board in the bottom of the second inning on a defensive error by Beaver, but Beaver quickly turned that around at the top of the third.

Beaver gave up two additional runs, one in the bottom of the fourth inning and another in the bottom of the sixth. But their early lead was enough for them to hang on to the win, trumping New Kensington with a score of 9-3.

Leading the offense in the first game was Francona, who went 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs and Matt Capo who went 3 for 4 with 1 RBI. All around Beaver's offense played well as 7 of the 9 batters earned at least one hit in the game. On the mound earning the win was Cassanta, who threw 5 innings giving up 6 hits and striking out 5.

Game 2 of the double header had a much different start as New Kensington got on the board first scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning. Beaver answered quickly in the top of the second off of the hot back of Francona who doubled and then stole third allowing Jordan Price to earn the RBI in his at bat. After a scoreless third inning Beaver scored another run in the top of the fourth to take the lead for the first time in the game on a Price RBI double. Beaver's offense put up a big fifth inning scoring 5 runs on 6 hits to take a 7-1 lead. New Kensington tried to answer in the bottom og the sixth inning scoring one run but the defecit was too large to overcome. Beaver would score their final run of the game in the top of the 7th inning to take the 8-2 lead which would be the final score of the game.

Leading the offense in the second game was Jordan Price who went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs and Matt Capo who also went 3 for 4 with 1 RBI. On the mound was Freshman Scott Hughes, who threw 6 innings striking out 7 batters and earning his first win of the season.

Beaver returns to action tomorrow night as they travel to Penn State Dubois for a single 9 inning game slated for a 6 p.m start.