Baseball Tops No. 21 Shenandoah to Win 13th Straight

Baseball Tops No. 21 Shenandoah to Win 13th Straight

WINCHESTER, Va. - Penn State Harrisburg's baseball team took down its second nationally-ranked opponent of the season on Wednesday night, April 27, defeating No. 21 Shenandoah 7-5 to extend the team's recent win streak to 13 games. 

 

HOW IT HAPPENED

Penn State Harrisburg (23-14) stayed hot on Wednesday evening, defeating No. 21 Shenandoah (27-10-1) to wrap up the non-conference portion of the team's schedule.

 

Josh Lantz went 4-for-5 with a game-high three RBI, Chase Smith finished 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and Maddux Ryan was 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Tyler Stabley and Riley Blatt were stout in relief, with the latter earning the nine-out save.

 

After the Hornets struck first with two runs in the bottom of the opening frame, the visitors cut the deficit in half in the ensuing stanza thanks to Matt Isaac's two-out double down the left field line that scored Ryan from second base.

 

The Lions continued their two-out magic in the top of the third when Drew Sassaman worked a bases-loaded walk to tie things up before Lantz singles through the right side to drive in Ryan and Kevin Lehner

 

Smith pushed the Penn State Harrisburg lead to 5-2 with his RBI single to right field that plated Julian Belardo in the top of the fourth but the home team stayed within striking distance thanks to an RBI double in the bottom half. 

 

Matt Parks' patience paid off in the top of the sixth, as his two-out bases-loaded walk pushed Isaac across to stretch the advantage to 6-3. The insurance run was needed, as Shenandoah struck back in the bottom half with a two-out double that scored a pair and cut the deficit to one. 

 

Lantz came through again in the seventh, however, tacking on run by singling up the middle and driving in Ryan from third. The Hornets got the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth but Blatt struck out the final two batters to earn the save and seal the win.

 

NOTABLES

- The victory was Penn State Harrisburg's second over a nationally-ranked opponent this season. The Lions also defeated No. 5 Salisbury earlier this spring.

- Josh Lantz was 4-for-5 with a game-high three RBI.

- Chase Smith went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

- Maddux Ryan finished 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored.

- Riley Blatt earned the first save of his career, throwing the final three innings, allowing no runs, and striking out three.

- Tyler Stabley was strong in his one inning of relief, striking out one without allowing a hit.

 

WHO'S NEXT?

The Lions wrap up the regular season with a three-game weekend series against United East foe St. Mary's (Md.) beginning on Friday afternoon.

 

STAY CONNECTED

Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook using the handle @pshbgathletics.