MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Lock Haven University baseball team (3-1) put on an offensive show as LHU and Chowan University (2-4) wrapped up their four game series today.
 
The team's started the day by finishing the second game from yesterday that was postponed until this morning due to darkness. The game ended with the Bald Eagles securing an 8-6 victory over the Hawks.
 
Lock Haven scored three runs in the first two innings to jump out to a 3-0 lead thanks Kolby Dehaas (Coeur D'alene, Idaho/Wenatchee Valley Community College) and Justin Sleigh (Dubois, Pa./Dubois) RBI's and a John Banes (Springfield, Pa. Cumberland CC) solo home run.
 
LHU was able to push that lead to 5-0 in the fourth when a Chappell single to left field scored two more runs and then pushed the lead to 6-0 in the fifth.
 
Chowan scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-2, but Nick Stotler (Pittsburgh/Coker College) sent his second home run of the game over the left field wall to push The Haven lead to 8-2. Chowan responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the LHU lead to 8-6 going into the final inning and into the delay.
 
The game then resumed at noon today in the bottom of the seventh, and Breton LaRose (Ogdensburg, N.Y. Sacred Heart) was able to close it out and win the game to move Lock Haven to 2-0 on the year.
 
Scott Leitholf (Dillsburg, Pa. Northern York) was able to pick up his first collegiate win, giving up just three hits in five innings while striking out eight.
 
In the first full game of the day, the Bald Eagles put on a clinic in the batter's box and hit their way to a 15-7 victory. LHU led 3-2 after the first two innings before putting nine runs on the board in the third and extending the lead to 12-2.
 
The long ball continued to be a big part of the Lock Haven offense. Keyshawn D'Orso (Pittsburgh Mercyhurst North East Community College) continued his powerful start with two more home runs and three RBI's in this one while Brady Chappell (Milton, Pa./Milton) was able to launch his first HR of the year with a three-run shot over the left field fence in the nine run third.
 
In all, The Haven had five players with two or more RBI's as they pounded out 13 hits and four home runs in a game in which the team was able to score runs in five of the seven innings.
 
Stotler led the way once again for the LHU offense, going 3 for 4 in the game with two RBI's and three runs scored. He also hit his third home run of the season. Sleigh, D'Orso and Cayden Stover (Beech Creek, Pa./Chesapeake College) all had two hits for Lock Haven.
 
Ross Mintzer (Glensdie, Pa./Rowan Gloucester CC) picked up the win for LHU, giving up six hits in five innings while striking out eight.
 
In the fourth and final game of the weekend, The Hawks were able to down the Bald Eagles 11-5 in five innings. The game was called due to darkness.
 
Chowan was able to jump out to an early 3-1 lead after the first inning and extended the lead to 6-1 in the third inning. LHU was able to respond with a four run fourth highlighted by a two run single by Max Joseph (Marlton, N.J./Harford Community College) to cut the deficit to 6-5.
 
The Hawks then answered the four run inning by Lock Haven with a four run inning of their own in the bottom of the fourth, pushing the lead to 10-5.
 
Chowan was able to add another run in the fifth inning before the game was called as the Hawks were able to get the win and avoid the weekend sweep from LHU.
 
The Lock Haven offense was explosive through the first four games. So far, LHU has racked up 33 hits, 33 runs and eight home runs. Leading the way was D'Orso, who is hitting .500 (5 for 10) with three home runs and six RBIs. A total of four players are hitting over .300. LaRose is 2 for 2 in save opportunities. He had 10 saves last year which was a single-season school record and he now has 12 career saves, which ties for the career saves record.
 
The Bald Eagles will have some down time before they play their next game when they travel back to North Carolina to take on Alderson Broaddus in a nine inning game. That game is set for Friday, March 2 with a 7 p.m. first pitch.