Baseball, Softball Teams Begin Conference Play

Pennsylvania College of Technology baseball and softball teams opened their Penn State University Athletic Conference seasons with mixed results last week as the baseball team won both of its games and the softball squad dropped two.

BASEBALL
In a nonconference game that was postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday and moved to Wilkes-Barre because field conditions in Williamsport were too wet, the Wildcats dropped a 7-5 decision to NCAA Division III Wilkes University. Cody Buterbaugh, of Conestoga, went 2 for 4 at the plate, including a triple, with three runs batted in.

Penn College rebounded as PSUAC play began on Thursday with a 10-3, 2-0 doubleheader sweep at Penn State Mont Alto. In the opener, Zach Yetter, of Thompsontown, was the winning pitcher. Travis Hendershot, of Muncy, drove in two runs in a four-run third inning and Cody Buterbaugh had a two-run single in the seventh. In the nightcap, Josh Longsderff, of Columbia, threw a four-hit shutout while Cody Buterbaugh had three hits and two RBI as the Wildcats went to 5-6 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

SOFTBALL
Stepping up Tuesday against NCAA Division III crosstown rival Lycoming College, Penn College fell by scores of 12-0 and 22-2, both in five-inning games. The Wildcats were no-hit in the opener, but managed five hits in the second game, including a bases-loaded RBI single by Stephanie Koleno, of Moshannon, in the third inning.

In its PSUAC opener Thursday at Elm Park, Penn College committed nine errors, which resulted in nine unearned runs, and fell by scores of 13-4 and 9-4 to drop to 2-10 overall and 0-2 in the conference. During the twin bill, Katie Kratzer, of Selinsgrove, went 4 for 7 at the plate with a run scored.

MEN’S SOCCER
After seven years at the helm of the Penn College men’s soccer team, head coach Enrique Castillo has announced his retirement from the program.

“Enrique has done a lot for Penn College soccer,” Director of Athletics Scott Kennell said of Castillo, who was at the helm for seven seasons. “He has achieved so much with the program with conference championships and national tournament berths. He has left his mark on the program and will truly be missed.”

SCHEDULES/RESULTS
Baseball
Overall record: 5-6
PSUAC record: 2-0
Wednesday, March 27 – at Wilkes University, L, 7-5
Thursday, March 28 – at Penn State Mont Alto, W, 10-3; W, 2-0
Tuesday, April 2 – at Penn State York (2), 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 4 – at Penn State Greater Allegheny (2), 1 p.m.
Saturday, April 6 – at Penn State Fayette (2), 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 7 – at Penn State Beaver (2), noon
Wednesday, April 10 – at Penn State Hazleton (2), 2 p.m.

Softball
Overall record: 2-10
PSUAC record: 0-2     
Tuesday, March 26 – at Lycoming College, L, 12-0, 22-2
Thursday, March 28 – host Penn State Mont Alto, L, 13-4; L, 9-4
Tuesday, April 2 – host Penn State New Kensington at Elm Park (2), 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3 – host Elmira, N.Y., College, at Elm Park (2), 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 4 – at Penn State Greater Allegheny (2), 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 6 – at Penn State Fayette (2), 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 7 – at Penn State Beaver (2), noon
Wednesday, April 10 – at Penn State Hazleton (2), 2 p.m.

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