McKeesport, Pa. – The Penn State Greater Allegheny Baseball Team (4-7, 1-0) opened up conference play on Monday night when they defeated Penn State Fayette 4-1. They look to make it two in a row in Penn State University Athletic Conference play when they take on Penn State DuBois (11-5, 3-0) on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
Monday’s game came after a rained-out weekend forced PSUGA to have to reschedule their two weekend games. Dan Daly (Glassport, Pa./South Allegheny) dominated on the mound picking up a complete game, seven-inning, victory. He gave up just one earned run while walking one and striking out seven while giving up just four hits in the game.
The win improved Daly’s record to 2-1 on the season and dropped his ERA to 6.00. The two wins this season equal the amount of wins that Daly has compiled throughout his PSUGA career prior to this year. Daly is one of two senior leaders atop the Greater Allegheny pitching staff looking to lead them throughout the year.
Hunter Hughes (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) stepped up at the plate contributing to three of his teams four runs in the ball game. It started in the top of the 2nd when he lined a 2 RBI single to centerfield to give PSUGA the early 3-0 lead. He would later bring home an insurance run in the top of the 6th when he reached on an error by the Fayette short stop that allowed Matt Smith (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) to come home and score that sealed the deal pushing PSUGA’s lead to 4-1.
The offense collected just three hits on the day, however, their patient approach at the plate created opportunities that allowed them to drive in runs. As a team, they walked eight times in the ball game and timely hits were able to bring them home and give PSUGA enough for the victory.
This season is the 7th straight season in which PSUGA started out Conference play atleast 1-0. Last season, they won their first three conference games before falling to PSU-DuBois to break the short three game winning streak. DuBois has been a tough team since they began in 2015 and they continue to improve year-by-year.
This season is no exception, they are off to an 11-5 start and enter Friday’s contest on a six-game winning streak. They are coming off of a sweep of Westmoreland County CC winning by scores of 4-0 and 12-2. Tallon Falls and Dan Bowman led the way in the doubleheader with Falls finishing 3-6 with 4 RBI and Bowman going 2-3 with 3 RBI between the two contests.
PSU-DuBois has ruled this matchup over the last two seasons winning all five contests including knocking PSUGA out of the PSUAC playoffs in 2016. PSUGA will be looking for their first ever win against PSU-DuBois as they try to continue their early success in PSUAC play.
Friday’s contest will be a single game, nine-inning contest at PSU-DuBois with first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PSUGA will be sending senior Luke Padezan (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) to the hill for his fourth start of the season.
