Lion Baseball Splits with Beaver, 2-8, 3-0

Monaca, Pa. - Despite dropping the first game 8-2, the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's baseball team went on to take game two by a score of 3-0 over Penn State University Athletic Conference nemesis, Penn State Beaver, Monday afternoon. 

Greater Allegheny managed to get on the board first in the first game in the top of the second as freshman right-fielder Blake Flocker (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) singled to bat home senior left-fielder Mark Hollis (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Hills). Junior shortstop Zachary Pollack (Cecil, Pa./Canon-McMillan) singled to bat home freshman desginated hitter Pablo Escobar (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico/Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy), 2-0 Greater Allegheny.

Four runs in the bottom of the third and two in each of the fifth and sixth would ultimately lead to the demise of the Lions, 8-2.

Junior right-handed pitcher Luke Padezan (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) pitched the six innings, sitting down two of his 34 batters faced. 

Sophomore center-fielder Dylan Ernst (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) went 2-of-3 in game one, while Pollack, Hollis, Escobar and junior second baseman Adam Jacko (North Versailles, Pa./East Allegheny) all nabbed a hit each.

The Lions came out hot in the top of the first in game two, as junior first baseman Joshua Arroyo (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico/Levittown Baptist Academy) reached first on an error by the shortstop, scoring both Jacko and Pollack, 2-0 GA.

Another run in the top of the sixth was produced as sophomore designated hitter Marcos Lopez (Caglas, Puerto Rico/Ramey) doubled to score sophomore third baseman Dylan Finocchi (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), 3-0 GA.

Greater Allegheny held Beaver to a shutout win, the first of the season for junior right-handed pitcher Dan Daly (Glassport, Pa./South Allegheny). The righty threw a complete seven-inning game, sitting down four of his 29 batters down on strike-out.

Finocchi went 3-of-3 with one run scored as Flocker, Jacko and Lopez all connected through game two.

Greater Allegheny (7-14, 5-6 PSUAC) looks to host their final PSUAC double-header of the season at Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

Photo Credit: Buzz Craven