Wildcats find success in South Carolina
Published 03.13.2022
News
Athletics
Wildcat Weekly
Pennsylvania College of Technology baseball and softball teams are coming off trips to South Carolina where they went a combined 10-5 (6-2 baseball and 4-3 softball) last week in preparation for their United East seasons later this month.
Baseball
On March 6 at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach against Hilbert College, the Wildcats won by scores of 9-7 and 8-7, the first of which earned coach Chris Howard his 300th career win at Penn College. In the opener, a three-run, sixth-inning homer by Cameron Dick, of Dillsburg, lifted the ’cats and Sam Zeigler, of Palmyra, came through with 3⅓ innings of scoreless, one-hit relief with five strikeouts to secure the win. Shane Price, of Kersey, had a two-run home run in the third and ended the game with four RBIs.
In the nightcap, Penn College fought back from a 4-0 deficit, getting a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning for a sweep. Dick, who went 4 for 7 on the day, had his second straight three-RBI game, highlighted by a two-run double. Zach Ellis, of Gilbertsville, earned the mound win in relief.
Monday morning against Bridgewater State, Penn College out-hit its opponent, 13-11, but couldn’t push enough runs across in a 13-10 loss. Bridgewater led 11-3 after five innings before the Wildcats closed the gap with three unearned runs in the sixth and two runs in both the eighth and ninth innings. Jacob Carles, of Bernville, drilled a two-run home run in the eighth. Nate Gustkey, of Philipsburg, went 4 for 5 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Penn College starting pitcher Ben Bretzman, of Bendersville, recorded seven strikeouts in taking the loss.
Monday afternoon, the Wildcats earned a split for the day with a wild 17-16 win over Manhattanville College. A walk-off double in the ninth inning by Connor Burke, of St. Clair, ended things. Manhattanville had taken leads of 5-0 after two frames and 16-9 through the top of the eighth before a seven-run Penn College eighth knotted the score and set the stage for Burke’s heroics. Zeigler got the mound win in relief.
In a single game on Tuesday against Clarks Summit University, Penn College scored 13 runs in the first inning and 11 in the fourth – with four more coming in both the second and ninth innings – en route to a 32-7 win. For the Wildcats, Keegan Nytz, of Allentown, had a three-run triple in the second inning and was credited with two more RBIs after being hit by pitches that resulted in runs scoring. Also, Anthony Barbella, of Livingston, New Jersey, and Matt Bailor, of Clearfield, each ended with four RBIs – all of Bailor’s coming on his first collegiate hit, a grand-slam home run in the ninth. Starting pitcher Zac Weaver, of Pottstown, went five innings to get the “W.” Carles picked up his 100th career hit.
On a rainy Wednesday, Penn College put together four three-run innings in a 12-0 first-game win over Rivier University as Zeigler, who went four innings in the mound start, and Tristan Current, of Reinholds, combined on a two-hit shutout. In getting the win, Zeigler improved to 3-0. Jake Wagner, of Palmyra, led the Wildcats’ 16-hit attack by going 4 for 5 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored while Brian Robison, of Quakertown; Tyler Rudolph, of Hemlock, New York; and Carles each had three hits.
In Wednesday’s second game against Rivier, pitchers Chance Webb, of Hughesville, and Joel Verrico, of Montoursville, combined on a three-hit, 10-0 shutout in five innings. Webb struck out three and walked one while Verrico, who earned the win, fanned seven and didn’t allow a walk over four innings. Rudolph homered in the second inning for Penn College and Dick went 3 for 3 with a three-run triple and RBI double.
Closing out its trip on Thursday, the Wildcats dropped a 14-6 decision to Catholic University. CU took a 3-2 lead in the first inning and led 9-4 after three frames before adding another four runs in the sixth and one in the ninth. Dick had two hits for Penn College and Rudolph ended with three RBIs. Kevin Cute, of Glenside, the first of seven Wildcat pitchers, took the mound loss.
In the early going this season among the regular starters, Dick leads the team with a .462 batting average and Wagner is second at .444, followed by Gustkey at .391, Carles at .364 and Rudolph .355. Wagner has driven in 14 runs, Dick 13 and Rudolph 11. Carles leads with two home runs and five doubles. On the mound, Zeigler owns a 0.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts and three walks.
Softball
Opening its season last Monday at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in North Myrtle Beach against Clarks Summit University, Penn College scored twice in the second inning and four times in the fourth to back the 12-strikeout, one-walk, three-hit pitching performance of Kyla Benner, of Bethlehem, in a 6-4 win. Benner aided her own cause with an RBI double while Olivia Hemstock, of Northford, Connecticut, went 3 for 4 with a run scored.
In a Monday afternoon game against North Carolina Wesleyan, the Wildcats led 9-6 after six innings but gave up six runs in the top of the seventh and lost, 12-9. Hemstock and Madison Shaffer, of Trout Run, each had two-run singles in the sixth inning for Penn College. Taylor Cashner, of Danville, took the mound loss in relief.
Facing King’s College in a twin bill on Tuesday, Penn College won, 4-2 and 9-0. In the first game, a two-run, fifth-inning homer by Jordan Specht, of Frederick, Maryland, provided the winning runs and helped Benner improve to 2-0 on the mound. Specht also doubled in the game and ended with three RBIs.
In the second game against King’s, Mackenzie Weaver, of Williamsport, limited King’s to three singles while fanning seven and walking one. Maddie Hurst, of Mechanicsburg; Olivia Eisenhauer, of New Columbia; and Shaffer each finished with two RBIs.
Battling the elements on Wednesday, Penn College fell behind Montclair State 5-1 in the first inning and went on to lose, 8-3. Its second scheduled game of the day, against Penn State Beaver, was canceled because of rain. Although it couldn’t get untracked offensively as a team, Hurst went 4 for 4 with one RBI and a run scored. On the mound, Benner went ⅔ of an inning and took the loss.
Wrapping up its week on Friday, Penn College lost 1-0 to Lebanon Valley College before blanking Cairn University, 11-0.
Lebanon Valley pitcher Erin Sinatra went the seven-inning distance, tossing a two-hitter while striking out 14 and walking none, in outdueling Penn College starter Weaver, who allowed six hits, fanned six and walked three.
Against Cairn, Penn College had the dominant pitcher in Benner, who allowed three hits while striking out six and walking none in five innings of work to improve to 3-1. Leading the offense were Weaver and Jaylynn Cochran, of Cogan Station, who each had two hits and drove in two runs; Specht, who had two hits and scored three times; and Hurst, who had two triples and scored twice.
For the week among the regular starters, Specht hit .500, Hurst .435 and Weaver .313. Specht also homered, tripled, had four doubles and drove in nine runs. Benner struck out 23, walked three and has an ERA of 0.71 after allowing just two earned runs in 19⅔ innings of work on the mound.
Men’s lacrosse
At Alfred University on Thursday, Penn College lost, 14-6, as Alfred led in shots, 47-27, and shots on goal, 24-14, in dropping to 2-4 overall. Three Wildcats – Sam Hills, of Maynard, Massachusetts; James Thatcher, of Bala Cynwyd; and Trevor Soli, of Redding, Connecticut – each scored one goal and had an assist in the defeat.
Esports
Penn College Overwatch, Rocket League and Valorant teams each lost their matches.
SCHEDULES/RECORDS/RESULTS
Baseball
Overall: 6-4
UE: 0-0
The Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Sunday, March 6 – vs. Hilbert College (2), W, 9-7; W, 8-7
Monday, March 7 – vs. Bridgewater State University, L, 13-10
Monday, March 7 – vs. Manhattanville College, W, 17-16
Tuesday, March 8 – vs. Clarks Summit University, W, 32-7
Wednesday, March 9 – vs. Rivier University (2), W, 12-0; W, 10-0
Thursday, March 10 – vs. Catholic University, L, 14-6
Wednesday, March 16 – at Wilson College (2), 1 p.m.
Friday, March 18 – at Lancaster Bible College (UE), 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 – at Lancaster Bible College (UE, 2), noon
Monday, March 21 – at Wilkes University, 3:30 p.m.
Softball
Overall: 4-3
UE: 0-0
Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Monday, March 7 – vs. Clarks Summit University, W, 6-4
Monday, March 7 – vs. North Carolina Wesleyan College, L, 12-9
Tuesday, March 8 – vs. King’s College (2), W, 4-2; W, 9-0
Wednesday, March 9 – vs. Montclair State University, L, 8-3
Wednesday, March 9 – vs. Penn State Beaver, canceled
Friday, March 11 – vs. Lebanon Valley College, L, 1-0
Friday, March 11 – vs. Cairn University, W, 11-0
Wednesday, March 16 – at Susquehanna University, 3 p.m.
Friday, March 25 – at Lancaster Bible College (UE, 2), 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 26 – at Gallaudet University (UE, 2), 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 31 – at Lycoming College (2), 3 p.m.
Men’s lacrosse
Overall: 2-4
UE: 0-0
Wednesday, March 9 – at Alfred University, ppd.
Thursday, March 10 – at Alfred University, L, 14-6
Saturday, March 12 – at Bryn Athyn College, ppd.
Wednesday, March 16 – host Alvernia University, 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 – host FDU-Florham, 1 p.m.
Friday, March 25 – host Morrisville State (UE), 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 2 – at Hilbert College (UE), 1 p.m.
Archery
Saturday-Sunday, April 23-24 – USA Eastern Regional Collegiate Championships at Harrisonburg, Va.
Esports
iRacing
Tuesday, March 15 – CIL NASCAR – Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22 – CIL ROAD – Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29 – CIL NASCAR – Charlotte Motor Speedway, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 5 – CIL ROAD – Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 12 – CIL NASCAR – Phoenix Raceway, 8 p.m.
Overwatch
Record: 0-7
Monday, March 7 – vs. New York University, L, 3-0
Monday, March 14 – vs. Lebanon Valley College, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 21 – vs. Lackawanna College, 8 p.m.
Rocket League
Record: 0-7
Monday, March 7 – vs. Culver University, L, 3-2
Monday, March 14 – vs. Camden County College, 7 p.m.
Monday, March 21 – vs. Drexel University, 7 p.m.
League of Legends
Record: 2-4
CS:GO
Record: 2-3
Valorant
Record: 0-2
Vs. Purdue University-Ft. Wayne, L, 2-0
Golf
Monday, March 21 – at Lebanon Valley College, noon
Men’s/women’s tennis
Saturday, March 26 – host King’s College, 1:30 p.m.
For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
BaseballOn March 6 at The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach against Hilbert College, the Wildcats won by scores of 9-7 and 8-7, the first of which earned coach Chris Howard his 300th career win at Penn College. In the opener, a three-run, sixth-inning homer by Cameron Dick, of Dillsburg, lifted the ’cats and Sam Zeigler, of Palmyra, came through with 3⅓ innings of scoreless, one-hit relief with five strikeouts to secure the win. Shane Price, of Kersey, had a two-run home run in the third and ended the game with four RBIs.
In the nightcap, Penn College fought back from a 4-0 deficit, getting a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning for a sweep. Dick, who went 4 for 7 on the day, had his second straight three-RBI game, highlighted by a two-run double. Zach Ellis, of Gilbertsville, earned the mound win in relief.
Monday morning against Bridgewater State, Penn College out-hit its opponent, 13-11, but couldn’t push enough runs across in a 13-10 loss. Bridgewater led 11-3 after five innings before the Wildcats closed the gap with three unearned runs in the sixth and two runs in both the eighth and ninth innings. Jacob Carles, of Bernville, drilled a two-run home run in the eighth. Nate Gustkey, of Philipsburg, went 4 for 5 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Penn College starting pitcher Ben Bretzman, of Bendersville, recorded seven strikeouts in taking the loss.
Monday afternoon, the Wildcats earned a split for the day with a wild 17-16 win over Manhattanville College. A walk-off double in the ninth inning by Connor Burke, of St. Clair, ended things. Manhattanville had taken leads of 5-0 after two frames and 16-9 through the top of the eighth before a seven-run Penn College eighth knotted the score and set the stage for Burke’s heroics. Zeigler got the mound win in relief.
In a single game on Tuesday against Clarks Summit University, Penn College scored 13 runs in the first inning and 11 in the fourth – with four more coming in both the second and ninth innings – en route to a 32-7 win. For the Wildcats, Keegan Nytz, of Allentown, had a three-run triple in the second inning and was credited with two more RBIs after being hit by pitches that resulted in runs scoring. Also, Anthony Barbella, of Livingston, New Jersey, and Matt Bailor, of Clearfield, each ended with four RBIs – all of Bailor’s coming on his first collegiate hit, a grand-slam home run in the ninth. Starting pitcher Zac Weaver, of Pottstown, went five innings to get the “W.” Carles picked up his 100th career hit.
On a rainy Wednesday, Penn College put together four three-run innings in a 12-0 first-game win over Rivier University as Zeigler, who went four innings in the mound start, and Tristan Current, of Reinholds, combined on a two-hit shutout. In getting the win, Zeigler improved to 3-0. Jake Wagner, of Palmyra, led the Wildcats’ 16-hit attack by going 4 for 5 at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored while Brian Robison, of Quakertown; Tyler Rudolph, of Hemlock, New York; and Carles each had three hits.
In Wednesday’s second game against Rivier, pitchers Chance Webb, of Hughesville, and Joel Verrico, of Montoursville, combined on a three-hit, 10-0 shutout in five innings. Webb struck out three and walked one while Verrico, who earned the win, fanned seven and didn’t allow a walk over four innings. Rudolph homered in the second inning for Penn College and Dick went 3 for 3 with a three-run triple and RBI double.
Closing out its trip on Thursday, the Wildcats dropped a 14-6 decision to Catholic University. CU took a 3-2 lead in the first inning and led 9-4 after three frames before adding another four runs in the sixth and one in the ninth. Dick had two hits for Penn College and Rudolph ended with three RBIs. Kevin Cute, of Glenside, the first of seven Wildcat pitchers, took the mound loss.
In the early going this season among the regular starters, Dick leads the team with a .462 batting average and Wagner is second at .444, followed by Gustkey at .391, Carles at .364 and Rudolph .355. Wagner has driven in 14 runs, Dick 13 and Rudolph 11. Carles leads with two home runs and five doubles. On the mound, Zeigler owns a 0.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts and three walks.
Softball
Opening its season last Monday at the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic in North Myrtle Beach against Clarks Summit University, Penn College scored twice in the second inning and four times in the fourth to back the 12-strikeout, one-walk, three-hit pitching performance of Kyla Benner, of Bethlehem, in a 6-4 win. Benner aided her own cause with an RBI double while Olivia Hemstock, of Northford, Connecticut, went 3 for 4 with a run scored.
In a Monday afternoon game against North Carolina Wesleyan, the Wildcats led 9-6 after six innings but gave up six runs in the top of the seventh and lost, 12-9. Hemstock and Madison Shaffer, of Trout Run, each had two-run singles in the sixth inning for Penn College. Taylor Cashner, of Danville, took the mound loss in relief.
Facing King’s College in a twin bill on Tuesday, Penn College won, 4-2 and 9-0. In the first game, a two-run, fifth-inning homer by Jordan Specht, of Frederick, Maryland, provided the winning runs and helped Benner improve to 2-0 on the mound. Specht also doubled in the game and ended with three RBIs.
In the second game against King’s, Mackenzie Weaver, of Williamsport, limited King’s to three singles while fanning seven and walking one. Maddie Hurst, of Mechanicsburg; Olivia Eisenhauer, of New Columbia; and Shaffer each finished with two RBIs.
Battling the elements on Wednesday, Penn College fell behind Montclair State 5-1 in the first inning and went on to lose, 8-3. Its second scheduled game of the day, against Penn State Beaver, was canceled because of rain. Although it couldn’t get untracked offensively as a team, Hurst went 4 for 4 with one RBI and a run scored. On the mound, Benner went ⅔ of an inning and took the loss.
Wrapping up its week on Friday, Penn College lost 1-0 to Lebanon Valley College before blanking Cairn University, 11-0.
Lebanon Valley pitcher Erin Sinatra went the seven-inning distance, tossing a two-hitter while striking out 14 and walking none, in outdueling Penn College starter Weaver, who allowed six hits, fanned six and walked three.
Against Cairn, Penn College had the dominant pitcher in Benner, who allowed three hits while striking out six and walking none in five innings of work to improve to 3-1. Leading the offense were Weaver and Jaylynn Cochran, of Cogan Station, who each had two hits and drove in two runs; Specht, who had two hits and scored three times; and Hurst, who had two triples and scored twice.
For the week among the regular starters, Specht hit .500, Hurst .435 and Weaver .313. Specht also homered, tripled, had four doubles and drove in nine runs. Benner struck out 23, walked three and has an ERA of 0.71 after allowing just two earned runs in 19⅔ innings of work on the mound.
Men’s lacrosse
At Alfred University on Thursday, Penn College lost, 14-6, as Alfred led in shots, 47-27, and shots on goal, 24-14, in dropping to 2-4 overall. Three Wildcats – Sam Hills, of Maynard, Massachusetts; James Thatcher, of Bala Cynwyd; and Trevor Soli, of Redding, Connecticut – each scored one goal and had an assist in the defeat.
Esports
Penn College Overwatch, Rocket League and Valorant teams each lost their matches.
SCHEDULES/RECORDS/RESULTS
Baseball
Overall: 6-4
UE: 0-0
The Ripken Experience at Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Sunday, March 6 – vs. Hilbert College (2), W, 9-7; W, 8-7
Monday, March 7 – vs. Bridgewater State University, L, 13-10
Monday, March 7 – vs. Manhattanville College, W, 17-16
Tuesday, March 8 – vs. Clarks Summit University, W, 32-7
Wednesday, March 9 – vs. Rivier University (2), W, 12-0; W, 10-0
Thursday, March 10 – vs. Catholic University, L, 14-6
Wednesday, March 16 – at Wilson College (2), 1 p.m.
Friday, March 18 – at Lancaster Bible College (UE), 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 – at Lancaster Bible College (UE, 2), noon
Monday, March 21 – at Wilkes University, 3:30 p.m.
Softball
Overall: 4-3
UE: 0-0
Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic at North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Monday, March 7 – vs. Clarks Summit University, W, 6-4
Monday, March 7 – vs. North Carolina Wesleyan College, L, 12-9
Tuesday, March 8 – vs. King’s College (2), W, 4-2; W, 9-0
Wednesday, March 9 – vs. Montclair State University, L, 8-3
Wednesday, March 9 – vs. Penn State Beaver, canceled
Friday, March 11 – vs. Lebanon Valley College, L, 1-0
Friday, March 11 – vs. Cairn University, W, 11-0
Wednesday, March 16 – at Susquehanna University, 3 p.m.
Friday, March 25 – at Lancaster Bible College (UE, 2), 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 26 – at Gallaudet University (UE, 2), 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 31 – at Lycoming College (2), 3 p.m.
Men’s lacrosse
Overall: 2-4
UE: 0-0
Wednesday, March 9 – at Alfred University, ppd.
Thursday, March 10 – at Alfred University, L, 14-6
Saturday, March 12 – at Bryn Athyn College, ppd.
Wednesday, March 16 – host Alvernia University, 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 – host FDU-Florham, 1 p.m.
Friday, March 25 – host Morrisville State (UE), 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 2 – at Hilbert College (UE), 1 p.m.
Archery
Saturday-Sunday, April 23-24 – USA Eastern Regional Collegiate Championships at Harrisonburg, Va.
Esports
iRacing
Tuesday, March 15 – CIL NASCAR – Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22 – CIL ROAD – Circuit De Spa-Francorchamps, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29 – CIL NASCAR – Charlotte Motor Speedway, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 5 – CIL ROAD – Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 12 – CIL NASCAR – Phoenix Raceway, 8 p.m.
Overwatch
Record: 0-7
Monday, March 7 – vs. New York University, L, 3-0
Monday, March 14 – vs. Lebanon Valley College, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 21 – vs. Lackawanna College, 8 p.m.
Rocket League
Record: 0-7
Monday, March 7 – vs. Culver University, L, 3-2
Monday, March 14 – vs. Camden County College, 7 p.m.
Monday, March 21 – vs. Drexel University, 7 p.m.
League of Legends
Record: 2-4
CS:GO
Record: 2-3
Valorant
Record: 0-2
Vs. Purdue University-Ft. Wayne, L, 2-0
Golf
Monday, March 21 – at Lebanon Valley College, noon
Men’s/women’s tennis
Saturday, March 26 – host King’s College, 1:30 p.m.
For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
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