MANSFIELD, Pa. – Behind five home runs and 17 runs on a season-high 17 hits, the Lock Haven baseball team (18-16, 6-10 PSAC East) held off host-Mansfield (10-25, 1-15 PSAC), 17-15, today as the two teams opened a three-game Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division series with a slugfest.
The two teams combined for nine home runs and scored 32 total runs on 31 hits.
For Lock Haven, the five home runs were the most in a single game since the Bald Eagles hit four vs. Chowan on February 10, 2018.
The Haven also played well defensively today, and that was key, especially in the late innings of the schedule nine-inning contest.
Garrett Nepert (Preston, Md./Colonel Richardson (Chesapeake County CC)) and
Brendan Jordan (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy (Bucks County CC)) each homered twice, and
Blaise Zeiders (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) hit one home run.
Nepert had three total hits (3-for-5, 2 HR) with two runs scored and five RBIs. Jordan drove in four runs and recorded a four-hit game (4-for-6).
Troutman,
Justin Lichtenwalner (Lancaster, Pa./Hempfield), Zeiders and
Joe Shannon (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent (Mercer CC)) all had multiple hit games for Lock Haven.
Trailing 14-13, Jordan's two-run home run to centerfield in the seventh inning put Lock Haven up 15-14. Nepert hit a two-run homer in the eighth and the Bald Eagles never looked back from there as they held off the hosts.
Pitcher
Sean Brennan (Hatfield, Pa./North Penn) stood strong in relief and earned the win. He entered in the fourth inning and over four innings, he struck out four, walked three and scattered five hits.
Matt Lingenfelter (State College, Pa./State College) was credited with the save.
Overall, Lock Haven pitchers recorded nine strikeouts, which was key in the game highlighted by hits, home runs, runs and offense.
As mentioned, the Bald Eagles' defense was solid and the errorless-effort was led by the aforementioned Shannon, who stood out at third base.
Schedule Update / Up Next for Lock Haven:
Mansfield was scheduled to travel to The Haven tomorrow (Saturday, April 22), but action Saturday has been postponed. The Bald Eagles will now host Mansfield on Sunday, April 23 in a PSAC East doubleheader. Game one Sunday is set for noon as it marks Lock Haven's 2023 Senior Day.
