ERIE, PA - To open their conference season Baseball of La Roche University split with the Penn State Behrend Lions.
GAME ONE
The Redhawks were the first on the board this afternoon. Zach Keib bade it on base with a walk and then stole second to put himself in scoring position. Nathan Stutz singled through the left side and Keib took advantage and advanced to third base. Mason Brooks then grounded out to the pitcher, but it was the perfect opportunity for Keib to cross home plate, putting La Roche on the board.
Although the team had the lead, they didn't keep it for long. The Lions had themselves a day and the La Roche offense could not heat up the same way.
Garrett LeMaster took the loss for the team on the mound. Dylan Chan and Jamison Rhoades came in for relief. Rhoades ended up facing the brunt of the Lions' offense, allowing only 2 runs, 2 walks, and striking out one.
Stutz, Keib, Brooks, Josh Dryer, and Samuel DiCicco each had a hit for the team this afternoon.
GAME TWO
La Roche revived their offense in game two and secured their first conference victory 16-6.
The Redhawks were once again the first on the board, and this time continued to score at the very least one run per inning, except in the 7th inning.
Nathan Stutz drove in the first run in the first inning to put the Redhawks on the board first once more.
La Roche's largest inning was the fifth, scoring six runs to put the team up 12-2. The big inning was powered by singles from Mason Brooks and Nate Darwin, a walk by Christian Melendez, and an error on a ball put in play by Dylan Chan.
Shane Murphy earned the win for the Redhawks on the mound. The hurler allowed only six hits and six runs over five and two-thirds inning, striking out two. Cameron Mauk threw the rest of the game in relief out of the bullpen.
Mason Brooks led at the plate going 4-for-4 and earning 4 RBIs. Brooks singled in the second, fifth, sixth, and eighth inning.
Darwin and Chan each shot a double during their time at bat. Chan also recorded 3 RBIs.
La Roche will return home this Saturday for their first home AMCC Conference matchup against the Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats.