SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Baseball swept USCAA opponent Southern Maine Community College on Thursday.
Game One: Penn State Schuylkill 12, Southern Maine CC 2
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the second inning, Owen Zimmerman (Shoemakersville, PA / Hamburg Area High School) drew a walk, granting Schuylkill their first run of the contest. On the very next play, Nate Gilbert's (Shoemakersville, PA / Hamburg Area High School) single to right field brought in an additional two runs for Schuylkill before the end of the inning.
Southern Maine got on the scoreboard at the top of the third as a single to center field resulted in their first run of the contest.
Schuylkill responded in the bottom of the inning as Ethan Naftzinger (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) grounded out with the bases loaded to extend their lead to 4-0. A double by Connor Licklider (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) and a single by Zimmerman brought in Schuylkill's final three runs of the inning. Southern Maine narrowed their deficit to 7-2 after successfully stealing home base.
Two wild pitches by Southern Maine and a sacrifice fly by Brenan Adams (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School) contributed to Schuylkill's three runs during the sixth inning. A single and a sacrifice fly by Licklider and Zimmerman, respectively, secured the victory for Schuylkill in the bottom of the sixth.
Licklider finished 3-4 at bat with two doubles and three RBIs. Zimmerman finished a perfect 2-2 with three RBIs as well. Gilbert added two RBIs. Tristian Baer (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) pitched all 6.0 innings for Schuylkill, striking out four opponents and allowing only two runs.
Game Two: Penn State Schuylkill 11, Southern Maine CC 1
Southern Maine was the first team to score in the second matchup, ending their opening inning with a run. Licklider began things for Schuylkill, hitting a double in the bottom of the inning. Zimmerman would walk on the next play and both players on the field advanced following a wild pitch thrown by Southern Maine. Gilbert would then hit a home run to give Schuylkill a 3-1 lead after the first.
Schuylkill matched their run total of three during the next frame, starting with Ryan Jarboe (Pottsville, PA / Blue Mountain High School) walking and advancing to second on a passed ball. A single by Naftzinger would push Jarboe to third. Licklider then singled in a run for Jarboe to extend Schuylkill's lead to 4-1. Zimmerman and Gilbert drove in an additional two runs for Schuylkill during the inning.
Singles by RayJay Marmolejos (Wyomissing, PA / Wilson High School) and Naftzinger, along with an error by Southern Maine, gave Schuylkill four runs for the inning. Schuylkill hit the ball a total of five times during the inning.
Gilbert finished 3-3 at the plate with four RBIs, a double, and a home run. Licklider went 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Marmolejos also finished 2-3 at bat with two RBIs. Owen Shoop (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley High School) went the distance for Schuylkill on the mound, allowing only one run.
Schuylkill (9-5 overall, 0-0 PSUAC) will travel to Delaware Valley on Monday, March 18th. The first pitch will be thrown at 3:30 p.m.
