Myrtle Beach, S.C. - Through a back-and-forth battle to start the day, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's baseball team dropped a 9-5 decision, Wednesday afternoon, over Rochester Community College (Minn.).
Junior catcher Francisco Del Rio (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy) doubled to left center to bat in Finocchi to go up a quick 1-0. Junior first baseman Joshua Arroyo (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico/Levvittown Baptist Academy) singled to right center to score freshman pinch run Blake Flocker (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport), 2-0 Greater Allegheny after the first inning.
Rochester CC managed to score in the top of the second, slicing the GA lead in half 2-1.
Rochester tied the game at two after a runner stole home, 2-2. One more in the inning led to a Rochester take over, 3-2.
Not before long, Arroyo slugged another double to score Finocchi, tie game three all.
Rochester tacked on another one in the fourth, 4-3.
The bottom of the fourth brought a sophomore center-fielder Dylan Ernst (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) run, again tying the game at four.
Greater Allegheny took the lead 5-4 freshman pitcher/designated hitter Jarod Kashner (Columbia, Pa./Columbia) sacrifice flied out to left field to score freshman pinch runner Blake Flocker (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport).
Rochester CC managed two in the top of the sixth to give them the lead again, 6-5.
Three more for Rochester resulted in a 9-5 stumble after the top of the seventh inning.
Arroyo hit 3-of-4 with two runs batted in while Finocchi nabbed 1-of-4 with two runs scored himself.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Jarod Kashner (Columbia, Pa./Columbia) threw over five innings, facing 29 pitchers and serving up 65 strikes. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Marcos Lopez (Caglas, Puerto Rico/Ramey) faced nine batters, sitting down three on strike-outs, with 22 strikes.
Greater Allegheny (1-3) look to their final game of the Spring Break trip on Thursday, when the men travel to the Cal Ripken Experience's Polo Grounds field. First pitch is set for 10:00 a.m.
