BERWICK, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Baseball extended their winning streak to five games following their sweep against PSUAC opponent Penn State Hazleton. Schuylkill has won nine out of their last ten matchups.
Game One: Penn State Schuylkill 11, Penn State Hazleton 0
Four walks, a fielder's choice, and a single from Owen Zimmerman (Shoemakersville, PA / Hamburg Area High School) ultimately granted Schuylkill two runs in the opening inning. With Schuylkill having two outs with the bases loaded in the top of the first, Pedro Rosario (Reading, PA / Wyomissing Area High School) doubled to left center, bringing in three Schuylkill runs. Rosario crossed home plate on the subsequent play as Jared Sterner (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) singled him in, propelling Schuylkill to a total of six runs by the inning's conclusion.
Schuylkill garnered an additional three runs during the following frame as consecutive sacrifice flies by Brenan Adams (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School) and Ethan Naftzinger (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School), along with a double by Owen Shoop (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley High School), extended their lead to 9-0. Schuylkill sustained their momentum in the top of the third as a single by Marmolejos set up what transpired to be two runs for Schuylkill, as Connor Licklider's (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) homer cleared the bases. Schuylkill proceeded to close out Hazleton in five innings.
Licklider concluded 2-3 at the plate with a homer and two RBIs. Rosario and Shoop both notched doubles, with Rosario leading the team with three RBIs. Tristian Baer (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) pitched 4.0 innings, securing the win in his matchup, and allowing only two hits.
Game Two: Penn State Schuylkill 14, Penn State Hazleton 2
Hazleton struck first in the second matchup with a single to centerfield in the bottom of the first inning. Schuylkill surged at the start of the second inning with consecutive singles by Adams and Naftzinger. Shoop walked in the next at-bat, loading the bases for Schuylkill. With Baer pinch running for Shoop, Sterner brought all three players home with a triple to right field, capping off the inning with three runs.
Schuylkill maintained their aggressive hitting in the top of the third, with singles by Zimmerman, Adams, and Naftzinger earning them their fourth run of the contest. A wild pitch, a walk, and an error added four more runs to Schuylkill's tally in the inning, extending their lead to 8-1. Hazleton responded with a run in the bottom of the third following a double to left field. After two scoreless innings, Schuylkill put the game out of reach in the top of the sixth, finishing the inning with six runs and four hits.
Naftzinger went a flawless 4-4 for Schuylkill with an RBI. Adams finished 3-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Zimmerman also hit a double, going 3-5 with two RBIs. Sterner's triple earned him a team-high three RBIs. Shoop pitched 5.2 innings for Schuylkill, securing the win on the mound.
Schuylkill (22-10 overall, 10-4 PSUAC) will look to become the first team in program history to win 24 games as they host Penn State Hazleton on Tuesday in a doubleheader.
