SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Baseball clinched a record-breaking 24th win of the season as they swept PSUAC opponent Penn State Hazleton, winning 11 out their last 12 contests.
Game One: Penn State Schuylkill 3, Penn State Hazleton 2
Penn State Hazleton took an early lead with two runs in the top of the first inning, capitalizing on two singles. Connor Licklider (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) capitalized on an error, advancing to second base as Owen Zimmerman (Shoemakersville, PA / Hamburg Area High School) singled. Both runners crossed the plate as Brenan Adams (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School) delivered a single to left center, knotting the score at 2-2 by the end of the first inning.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, singles by Ethan Naftzinger (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) and Owen Shoop (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley High School) set the stage for Schuylkill's decisive run. An error during Aidan Murhon's (New Philadelphia, PA / Pottsville Area High School) at-bat allowed Naftzinger to score, securing the victory.
Naftzinger and Murhon each went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Adams led Schuylkill with two RBIs. Jared Sterner (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) claimed the win on the mound, pitching 6.0 innings.
Game Two: Penn State Schuylkill 5, Penn State Hazleton 0
Ryan Jarboe (Pottsville, PA / Blue Mountain High School) entered as a pinch-runner for Tristian Baer (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School), and Adams ignited Schuylkill's offense with a triple to center field, bringing in the first run in the bottom of the third. Schuylkill dominated the fourth inning, with consecutive doubles by RayJay Marmolejos (Wyomissing, PA / Wilson High School) and Licklider driving in two more runs. Licklider capitalized on a passed ball, reaching home after Zimmerman drew a walk, extending Schuylkill's lead.
Marmolejos started the sixth inning with another double, capitalizing on an error to advance. Zimmerman added another RBI, bringing Marmolejos home on a groundout.
Adams contributed a triple to the victory, while Marmolejos collected two doubles, with Licklider adding one. Zimmerman finished with two RBIs. Baer pitched the entire game, securing the win while striking out eight batters.
Schuylkill (24-10 overall, 12-4 PSUAC) will return to action this Friday as they travel to PSUAC opponent Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
