Penn College Teams Have 5-6 Week, Name Full-Time Head Coach

Published 04.06.2014

News
Athletics

Pennsylvania College of Technology spring sports teams posted a combined 5-6 week and the college announced the naming of its first full-time head coach.



Baseball
Penn College opened Penn State University Athletic Conference play on Monday with a twin-bill loss to Penn State Greater Allegheny, 5-4 in eight innings and 5-0. In the first game, Zach Weil, of Kutztown, had two hits – one a solo home run – and drove in two runs while Josh Longsderff, of Columbia, went 2 for 3 at the plate. Greater Allegheny won it with a walk-off homer. The Wildcats managed just four hits in the second game.

The Wildcats rebounded Wednesday with a doubleheader sweep of Penn State Scranton by scores of 14-4 and 15-1, both in five innings. In the opener, Matt Demilio, of Greensburg, threw a three-hit shutout, striking out six, and was backed by the offense of Evan Vigna, of McAdoo, who went 3 for 3 with three runs batted in; Cody Buterbaugh, of Conestoga, who was 2 for 3 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored; and James Simasek, of Landenberg, who went 2 for 3 with three runs scored. In the second game, Chris Glunk, of Jersey shore, went the distance on the mound, allowing just two hits and striking out nine. James Scully, of Middletown, Del., led the offense with a 3-for-4 performance and four RBIs while Tanner Kibe, of Reedsville, was 3 for 4 with three runs scored and Lorenzo Marefka, of Jeanette, was 2 for 2 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Right back in action Thursday, Penn College swept Penn State Hazleton by scores of 18-4 and 11-0, both in five innings. In the first game, Zach Buterbaugh, of Conestoga, went 3 for 4 and scored four runs while Zach Weil, of Kutztown, was 1 for 2 with four RBIs to back the pitching of Longsderff, who struck out six in four innings of work. In the second game, Longsderff went 2 for 3, including a grand-slam homer, and drove in five runs while Scully added a solo homer and Jeremy Rall, of Williamsport, was 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Kyle Fox, of Fleetwood, tossed a three-hit shutout and struck out nine as the Wildcats improved to 10-6 overall and 4-1 in the conference.

Saturday’s home game with Penn State Schuylkill was postponed.

Also, it was announced during the week that baseball coach Chris Howard, who is in his eighth season, has been named to a full-time position at the college starting in the fall.

Softball
Playing its first games after a 20-day layoff, Penn College split with Penn State Hazleton on Thursday, winning 6-0 and losing 7-3. In the opener, Arika Stopper, of Williamsport, tossed a three-hit, seven-inning shutout, striking out six. Leading the Wildcats’ offense were Katie Kratzer, of Lynch Station, Va., who was 3 for 4 with two runs batted in and two runs scored, and Macie Lucas, of Reedsville, who had a three-run triple. In the nightcap, Nicole LoFurno, of Glen Mills, was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and Alexandra Brennan, of St. Clair, was 2 for 2.

Saturday’s home game with Penn State Schuylkill was postponed until Tuesday.

An early-season loss to Dakota State University during the team’s trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C., in March was reversed and Penn College was awarded a 1-0 win as its opponent used an ineligible player. The Wildcats now are 5-5 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Men’s Tennis
Hosting NCAA Division III Susquehanna University on Tuesday, Penn College won twice in singles and twice in doubles, but it wasn’t enough in a 5-4 loss. Double winners for the Wildcats were Jordan Rodgers, of Biglerville, at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles, and Chris Morrin, of Morrisville, at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles.

On Thursday at Misericordia University, Nathan Scott, of Canton, Conn., playing at No. 1 singles, was the lone Penn College winner in an 8-1 loss.

Wrapping up the week on Saturday in their PSUAC opener, the Wildcats fell to Penn State Brandywine, 5-4. Scott, at No. 1; Rodgers, at No. 2, and Morrin, at No. 3, were singles winners while Rodgers and Morrin won at No. 1 doubles as the team dropped to 1-4 overall.

PENN COLLEGE SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Baseball
Overall record: 10-6
PSUAC record: 4-2
Monday, March 31 – at Penn State Greater Allegheny, L, 5-4 in 8 innings; L, 5-0
Wednesday, April 2 – host Penn State Scranton, W, 14-4; W, 15-1, both in 5 innings
Thursday, April 3 – host Penn State Hazleton at Bowman Field, W, 18-4; W, 11-0, both in 5 innings
Saturday, April 5 – host Penn State Schuylkill at Bowman Field (2), ppd.
Sunday, April 6 – host Marywood University at Bowman Field, 1 p.m.
Monday, April 7 – host Baptist Bible College at Bowman Field, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9 – host Penn State Wilkes-Barre at Bowman Field (2), 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 – at Penn State York (2), 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 – host Penn State Mont Alto (2), 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 15 – host Wilkes University at Bowman Field, 7 p.m.

Softball
Overall record: 5-5
PSUAC record: 1-1
Thursday, April 3 – host Penn State Hazleton at Elm Park, W, 6-0; L, 7-3
Saturday, April 5 – host Penn State Schuylkill at Elm Park (2), ppd.
Sunday, April 6 – host Alfred, N.Y., University at Elm Park (2), canceled
Tuesday, April 8 – host Penn State Schuylkill at Elm Park (2), 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 – host Valley Forge Christian at Elm Park (2), 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 – host Penn State Mont Alto at Elm Park (2), 2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 15 – at Penn State Scranton (2), 2 p.m.

Men’s Tennis
Overall record: 1-4
PSUAC record: 0-1
Sunday, March 30 – at Wilkes University, ppd. to April 12
Tuesday, April 1 – host Susquehanna University, L, 5-4
Thursday, April 3 – at Misericordia University, L, 8-1
Saturday, April 5 – host Penn State Brandywine, L, 5-4
Tuesday, April 8 – host Penn State Hazleton, noon
Thursday, April 10 – host Lycoming College, 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 – at Wilkes University, 1 p.m.
Monday, April 14 – at Penn State Hazleton, 3 p.m.

Archery
Friday-Sunday, April 18-20 – Eastern Regional Outdoor Championships at Storrs, Conn.

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