Seven Runs in the Sixth Inning Catapults GA Baseball Over WVU Tech, 7-6
Vero Beach, Fla. - After trailing by six in the in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's baseball team came back to earn seven unanswered points in the top of the sixth inning to overtake WVU Tech in their final game of their annual spring break trip, 7-6.
Vero Beach, Fla. - After trailing by six in the in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's baseball team came back to earn seven unanswered points in the top of the sixth inning to overtake WVU Tech in their final game of their annual spring break trip, 7-6.
In their first meeting since the 17-0 WVU Tech mishap a few days ago, the two teams came out ready to play. Two quick, tight innings were played by both teams to keep the tally scoreless. Greater Allegheny left the top of the third at zero as WVU Tech made their first mark on the board, GA now behind 1-0. WVU showed back up in the bottom of the fifth inning, as our opponent managed to cross home plate five more times, GA now trailing 6-0.
Greater Allegheny had enough entering the sixth inning. Sophomore outfielder Jose Pablo Bonilla (Coto Laurel, Puerto Rico/Academia Santa Maria) led off the inning by obtaining a walk to first. Sophomore outfielder Jon Nusser (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear) then singled to right center, just before sophomore infielder Tommy Williams (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) filled the bases as he hit a single to right center. Freshman infielder Brian Casiano (San Juan, Puerto Rico/International Baseball Academy) singled to right field to bring home Bonilla, keeping the bases loaded. Junior infielder Aaron McGee (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) was next up to bat, as he singled to left field, bringing home Nusser. After GA brought in two, WVU made a pitching change.
Senior infielder Adam Wehr (Orefield, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) slammed a double to left-center field, reigning in two runs from Casiano and Williams. Senior infielder Sam Weightman (Harrison City, Pa./Penn-Trafford) was next to up to bat, as the slugger also hit a double to left-center, also bringing in two with Wehr and McGee. The score was now tied at six as sophomore infielder Bill Carter (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) came in to pinch run for Weightman. Bonilla singled to left field to bring home Carter, advancing Greater Allegheny up and over their opponent, WVU Tech.
Through two more complete innings, fans were on the edge of their seats to see who would come out on top. Relief junior pitcher Matt Klena (Glenshaw, Pa./Shaler) allowed two hits on eight batters through the WVU attempts, making it that much easier for Greater Allegheny to come out on top.
Bonilla closed the game by going 2-for-3, posting one run and one run batted in. Freshman catcher Francisco Del Rio (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico/Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy) matched Nusser and Williams as each of them went 1-for-3 at the plate. Weightman assisted his team by going 2-for-4, batting in two runs.
Senior outfielder Braedon Pennington (Punxsutawney, Pa./Mercyhurst) threw for four innings, allowing five hits with three strike-outs. Klena earned his second win of the season, as he pitched three innings with four strike-outs.
Greater Allegheny finished their Florida trip 7-1, the best spring training tenure that head coach Jim Chester has been apart of. The team heads back to chilly Pittsburgh and look to play Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Tuesday in a nine-inning contest at Consol Energy Park in Washington, Pa. The first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.