PSBC D2 TO TAKE PART IN FIRST ANNUAL STATE COLLEGE CLASSIC
The Penn State Division 2 Club Baseball team will be the only division 2 team in the State College Classic. In a 12-team tournament taking place this weekend, PSBC D2 looks to show how well they can hang with the D1 teams in their first games since the National Championship victory in Johnstown, PA. The tournament will begin on Friday, September, 30th and conclude with a semi-final game and a championship game on Sunday, October, 2nd. In PSBC D2's bracket is Pittsburgh, Hofstra, and Rutgers. Pitt vs PSBC D2 begins on Friday at 4:30 at Governors Park in Bellfonte, PA. The Lions will take on Rutgers and Hofstra on Saturday, and will play on Sunday if they have one of the top 4 records in the tournament. Updates will be available early next week.
PSBC D2 BEATS WYOMING FOR FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN PSBC HISTORY!!!
Penn State holds up the Championship Trophy.
It took over 7 hours, 4 rain delays, a 7 run comeback, and a lot of stamina, but Penn State came home with the National Championship trophy. Penn State threw Peter Racioppo against Wyoming in the final game of the season, however it ended unpleasantly for the Junior. Racioppo let up his first hits and earned runs of the season, allowing three in the first while battling an elbow injury. Racioppo would have to leave after the first due to the injury and was relieved by the previous days closer, David Pyles. Penn State responded by scoring 2 in the top of the 2nd. Alex Gojkovich scored from third on Martin Cecire's two out single which advanced Melaugh to third. Cecire then stole second and Melaugh scored on the throw cutting their deficit to only one. Pyles was on the hill for the second and had a tough go of it, but he was hurt by his defense for the first time all world series. The damage could have been stopped at 3 runs for the inning, but it was extended and Wyoming took advantage by putting up 6 runs and taking a huge 9-2 lead going into the top of the 3rd.
Down 7, coach Vehec preached what he had all year, that with consistency and hard play we will win the championship. The 3rd started with a Chambers single, a Lucas double, and a Gojkovich walk. Corey Mack then hit a sac fly followed by a Melaugh double which resulted in an RBI a piece. Melaugh then scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to 4 runs. Pyles came back out for the bottom of the 3rd where he let up another 2 runs, which would end up being the last of the game. Now down 6 again, 11-5, Penn State had some work to do, and responded as they had all season. With one out, Dale singled and was followed by Chambers who was hit by a pitch. Lucas came up and blasted a 3-run home run over the left field wall, his second of the World Series, to cut the lead in half. With two outs, Corey Mack struck out, but advanced to first on a wild pitch. Given a second chance, Penn State took advantage right away as Melaugh tripled down the right field line which scored Mack. Bednarzyk then singled to center to score Melaugh and make the score 11-10.
Pyles was lights out from 4th inning on, but did work out of a few crucial jams along the way. In the top of the 5th, Chambers scored on a Gojkovich single to tie the game. Pyles worked quick through the bottom half of the inning and Penn State had all of the momentum in the world. Just as Penn State was running to the dugout, lightning flashes were seen in the sky and the game was put on pause for what would be the start of a very long night. After over an hour delay, Bednarzyk was hit by a pitch and then bunted over by Chris Murter, but the Lions were unable to capitalize and were held scoreless. After warming up twice, Pyles took the mound again and needed just 13 pitches to retire Wyoming in order. Before the top of the 7th, there was yet another lightning delay, in which teams passed time by performing skits, highlighted by Penn State's human curling match and game of Wack-A-Mole. After another long wait, Penn State was held scoreless again, giving the top of Wyoming's lineup the opportunity to do what Northeastern had done just a year ago: walk-off with the victory.
The leadoff batter worked a walk which was then followed by a flyout to center. The 3 batter hit a ground ball in between the pitcher and first base. An out was recorded, but the runner got into scoring position with two outs and their clean-up hitter coming to the plate. Play was once again stopped as the rain started to pour down on Point Stadium. After a while, Pyles again warmed up to take the mound in an incredibly pressure filled situation. Penn State intentionally walked the 4 batter to set up a force play; however since the infielders were playing deep to prevent any squeakers from reaching the outfield, both runners stole. The man at the plate was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Wyoming with 2 outs. Pyles got ahead of the batter 0-2 and then on the next pitch, got the batter to fly out to Klein in center field which ended the huge threat Wyoming had mounted.
Andre "59" Hayden during the 4th delay
For the second year in a row, the NCBA D2 World Series would be decided in extra innings. Melaugh was up first and was hit by the second pitch he saw. Bednarzyk then followed with an attempted sacrifice bunt that the pitcher misplayed, allowing Bednarzyk to beat out the throw to first base. With first and second, everyone in the stadium knew that Chris Murter was going to bunt, but what they didn't know is that it would be about two hours later. The final rain delay was by far the longest and most worrisome for everyone involved. The entire field was covered by puddles and the chances of finishing the game were looking very slim as time moved along. It was well into Wednesday when the rain finally let up and the turf began to absorb the water. Just before 2 am, Chris Murter did his job perfectly and advanced both runners to second and third. With one out, leadoff batter Alex Klein comes to the plate and was given the green light, which turned out to be very beneficial. Klein ripped a single to right center field scoring both Melaugh and Lovecchio (who ran for Bednarzyk), but was then thrown out at second. It was 13-11 after 7 and a half as the Johnstown faithful watched Pyles come out for his 7th inning of relief. The first batter hit a long fly ball that was tracked down nicely by Klein to record the first out. The second batter grounded out, and Penn State once again saw themselves one out away from a World Series Championship. Pyles threw his 145th and last pitch of the game to the 9 batter who hit a liner into right center but was caught by a sliding Chris Murter to end the game.
Celebration ensued on the field and later in State College at around 430 am. Steven Dale was named MVP as he went 10-17 for the tournament. Penn State had other outstanding performers: Patrick Lucas was 7-15 with 2 hr's, 2 doubles, and led the tournament with 8 rbi's; Ryan Melaugh was 4-9, walked 7 times and also scored a tournament high 8 runs; Gojkovich, Bednarzyk, Cecire, Chambers and Klein also had a lot of clutch RBI's throughout the tournament. Pyles had one of the most gutsiest performance any of us had seen, throwing nearly 150 pitches (probably close to 300 counting the 5 times he had to warm up) over 7 innings and 6 and a half hours, while blanking Wyoming for their last five at bats. Everyone on the team worked so hard and was extremely dedicated from the first Monday of the spring semester to the last pitch of the World Series. Penn State earned this National title and will be back in 2012 looking for another one.
Celebration ensued on the field and later in State College at around 430 am. Steven Dale was named MVP as he went 10-17 for the tournament. Penn State had other outstanding performers: Patrick Lucas was 7-15 with 2 hr's, 2 doubles, and led the tournament with 8 rbi's; Ryan Melaugh was 4-9, walked 7 times and also scored a tournament high 8 runs; Gojkovich, Bednarzyk, Cecire, Chambers and Klein also had a lot of clutch RBI's throughout the tournament. Pyles had one of the most gutsiest performance any of us had seen, throwing nearly 150 pitches (probably close to 300 counting the 5 times he had to warm up) over 7 innings and 6 and a half hours, while blanking Wyoming for their last five at bats. Everyone on the team worked so hard and was extremely dedicated from the first Monday of the spring semester to the last pitch of the World Series. Penn State earned this National title and will be back in 2012 looking for another one.
PENN STATE KNOCKS OFF WISCONSIN AGAIN TO ADVANCE TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Penn State needed one win to get back to the championship game where their season ended a year ago. Bubby Mroskey was named the starting pitcher and in the first inning he came out firing. Throwing hard and hitting his spots, Bubby took control from the first batter. In the bottom half of the first inning, Penn State gave him the run support he's always deserved, throwing up a 4 spot. Klein and Dale both reached base and were advanced by Chambers' bunt. Lucas then singled in Klein and later scored on an error. Later in the inning, PSBC had bases loaded when Kevin Bednarzyk singled up the middle to drive in two runs to take a commanding 4-0 lead. The offense was stagnant the next three innings, but Mroskey took care of business allowing only two hits (both bunts) over the first 4 innings. In the top of the fifth, Wisconsin's leadoff batter hit a two-run home run to cut the lead in half. Penn State responded in the bottom half as Chambers singled and stole second to set up David Pyles with an RBI opportunity. He took advantage, singling to right and putting the lions up 5-2. Penn State added another in the bottom of the 6th when Steven Dale singled home Melaugh to give them a 4 run lead. Mroskey got the first out in the 7th, but then yielded a home run which ended his day on the mound. Mroskey finished with the win, 7 strikeouts, and 6 scattered hits over 6 1/3 innings. David Pyles came in to get the save as the Lions won 6-3 and clinched a spot in the World Series Championship.
PSBC TAKES DOWN WISCONSIN IN THE SECOND ROUND 11-4
Gerard Vath took the hill for this Big 10 matchup, looking to give PSBC the day off on Sunday. Vath worked out of a jam in the first inning to prevent any runs from crossing the plate, but the top of the Lions order was also held scoreless. The second inning proved to be more trying for Vath as he yielded two runs, but worked out of his second bases loaded jam in as many innings. Playing from behind for the first time in the World Series, PSBC unloaded on Wisconsin and put up a 6 spot in the bottom half of the second. With the bases loaded and one out, Martin Cecire singled into center scoring two. Following a run scored on a wild pitch and two on a fielders choice and error, Pat Lucas knocked a double off of the wall scoring Chambers to go up 6-2. The offense put up 4 in the bottom of the 5th to give themselves a comfortable lead. Penn State and Vath never looked back. Vath threw 6 innings while striking out 10 and allowed four runs in the victory. Mark Grassie came in for the 7th and struck out two to close out the game. Steve Dale went 3-4, and Lucas and Gojkovich added two hits a piece to lead the offense. Penn State would wait to later on find out they will be facing Wisconsin again on Monday for a chance to advance to the championship
PENN STATE BEATS TEXAS STATE IN ROUND ONE OF WORLD SERIES
Lucas goes yard in the 5th
In their first World Series game since a painful loss in last years championship game, Penn State started early and kept up a consistent attack on offense. Scoring in every inning except the third, PSBC kept the pressure on Texas State all day and giving starting pitcher Carl Motts all the run support he needed. Motts worked out of a first inning jam to stop Texas State from getting on the board first and then settled in. He threw a complete game allowing three earned runs to pick up the win in a very important game one. The Nitanny Lion defense was solid as always, and was the only team on the first day of games to have an errorless effort. With the game 4-1 in the bottom of the 5th, Pat Lucas took Texas State's starter deep to left center to extend the lead. Penn State added another in the 5th to extend the lead to 6-1. Steve Dale and Corey Mack had two hits a piece, and the offense received RBIs from Klein, Chambers, Gojkovich, and Melaugh. PSBC D2 takes on Wisconsin D2 on saturday at 4 pm at Point Stadium.
PSBC D2 TAKES 3 STRAIGHT GAMES TO ADVANCE TO WORLD SERIES
Penn State's first game in this double elimination championship tournament was against late entry St. Francis. The lions jumped on them early, scoring 3 runs in the first inning and 4 in the third to open a 7-0 lead. Pitcher Mark Grassie threw well in a complete game, striking out 6 and allowing only one earned run. Two hit performances by Alex Klein, Stee Dale, David Pyles and Kevin Bednarzyk gave a spark to the offense in each of the big innings Penn State put together. The club won the first game 10-3.
Second game was against another in-conference team as the Lions took on West Virginia. Scorless through 2 innings, Penn State again put together a few big innings. Scoring 3 in the 3rd, 4 in the 4th and 2 in the 5th, PSBC took a commanding 9-1 lead. Pitcher Gerard Vath was very impressive in the win as he allowed only one run in seven innings. Penn State's lead came in the third inning when Ben Chambers decided it would be a good time for his first home run, and shocked no one when he did it. Klein added another two hit game as did Ryan Melaugh, although it looks better in the books than it did at the park. The 10-1 victory put Penn State a win away from participating in their 3rd straight World Series.
West Virginia knocked off Binghamton in the loser's bracket to earn themselves a spot in the championship game. Bubby Mroskey got the start, and got the run support that he always gets: zero until the 5th inning. Mroskey ran into some trouble in the first, allowing two runs, but settled in from there, yielding only one more earned run after that. Penn State showed great resilience as it was the first time they had played from behind all season. Down 3-0 going into the 5th inning, Kevin Bednarzyk and Marty Cecire started off the inning with back to back singles. After a fielders choice and a stolen base, Steve Dale came to the plate and found some space in right field to drive both runs home to cut the lead to 3-2. An unearned run in the top of the 6th increased the West Virginia lead to two. In the bottom of the 6th, Corey Mack led off with a double, followed by a single by Ryan Melaugh, and a beautiful bunt (that should have been a single) by Chris Murter. Mack scored on the play and Melaugh moved up to 2nd base. David Lovecchio got hit in the back which brought up Cecire. On a caught bunt attempt, the catcher attempted to double off Lovecchio, but threw the ball away, which allowed Melaugh to score from second base and tie the game. Lovecchio scored on an error later in the inning to give PSBC a 5-4 lead. David Pyles was on the hill and took care of business, ending the game on a pickoff to first base. Heading to Johnstown, Penn State hopes to be the #1 seed and are excited to get their to avenge their loss in the Championship game last year vs Northeaster.
Second game was against another in-conference team as the Lions took on West Virginia. Scorless through 2 innings, Penn State again put together a few big innings. Scoring 3 in the 3rd, 4 in the 4th and 2 in the 5th, PSBC took a commanding 9-1 lead. Pitcher Gerard Vath was very impressive in the win as he allowed only one run in seven innings. Penn State's lead came in the third inning when Ben Chambers decided it would be a good time for his first home run, and shocked no one when he did it. Klein added another two hit game as did Ryan Melaugh, although it looks better in the books than it did at the park. The 10-1 victory put Penn State a win away from participating in their 3rd straight World Series.
West Virginia knocked off Binghamton in the loser's bracket to earn themselves a spot in the championship game. Bubby Mroskey got the start, and got the run support that he always gets: zero until the 5th inning. Mroskey ran into some trouble in the first, allowing two runs, but settled in from there, yielding only one more earned run after that. Penn State showed great resilience as it was the first time they had played from behind all season. Down 3-0 going into the 5th inning, Kevin Bednarzyk and Marty Cecire started off the inning with back to back singles. After a fielders choice and a stolen base, Steve Dale came to the plate and found some space in right field to drive both runs home to cut the lead to 3-2. An unearned run in the top of the 6th increased the West Virginia lead to two. In the bottom of the 6th, Corey Mack led off with a double, followed by a single by Ryan Melaugh, and a beautiful bunt (that should have been a single) by Chris Murter. Mack scored on the play and Melaugh moved up to 2nd base. David Lovecchio got hit in the back which brought up Cecire. On a caught bunt attempt, the catcher attempted to double off Lovecchio, but threw the ball away, which allowed Melaugh to score from second base and tie the game. Lovecchio scored on an error later in the inning to give PSBC a 5-4 lead. David Pyles was on the hill and took care of business, ending the game on a pickoff to first base. Heading to Johnstown, Penn State hopes to be the #1 seed and are excited to get their to avenge their loss in the Championship game last year vs Northeaster.
Regular Season ends with 4 forfeit victories - Advance to District I playoffs
The PSBC D2 team picked up two forfeit victories against Carnegie Melon as well as three from California University of PA ending the season 12-0. With those victories, the Lions clinched the top seed in the District I South conference. The #1 ranked team will participate in a 4-team, double elimination tournament, with the winner advancing to Johnstown for the World Series. West Virginia, SUNY Binghamton, and SUNY Oswego will be the other teams battling for a birth to the World Series. Penn State will take on SUNY Oswego on Friday, May 6th. First pitch will be at 7 pm and the game will be held at Bowman Field in Williamsport, PA.
#1 Ranked PSBC D2 TAKES 2 SUNDAY GAMES VS #11 WEST VIRGINIA.
Racioppo and Gojkovich celebrate the last out of the perfect game
Due to the horrible weather on Blue/White Saturday, the PSBC D2 team only played two games vs West Virginia. The horrendous field conditions did not seem to phase starting pitcher Peter Racioppo who came to the park and just decided he didn't want to throw from the stretch. Racioppo threw the first PERFECT GAME in PSBC D2 history on only 72 pitches while striking out 5. He was in control from start to finish while the defense made every play hit their way. The Nittany Lions got on the board in the bottom of the second when Kevin Bednarzyk hit a two out double over the left fielders head followed by another gapper by Marty Cecire, who added another hit later in the game. After that, the offense was led by familiar faces in Pat Lucas and Steven Dale who had three hits a piece, combining for 3 runs and 4 RBIs. PSBC took game one 7-0.
Gerard Vath got the start in game two and threw very well. Getting himself into a couple of jams, Vath was able to conquer the momentum that West Virginia was building and get out of two bases loaded situations. He threw five solid innings, striking out 4 and only allowing one run. Freshman Mark Grassie threw the final two innings in Penn State's victory. The top of the order was very productive for the Lions as Alex Klein got on base all four times and scoring three times, and David Pyles going 3 for 4. The offense was very consistent, putting up runs in every inning except the second which led them to a 8-2 win. These wins improve PSBC D2 to 8-0 and they now hold sole possession of first place in District 1 South division.
PSBC SWEEPS ST. FRANCIS TO IMPROVE TO 6-0
Pat Lucas went 6-10 with 4 rbi's
In game one, Carl Motts threw 6 strong, letting up only 3 earned runs and striking out 6. The offense was slow to start, but put up a 5 spot in the 4th. Alex Klein continued to hit the ball well, adding another 3 hit day to his season, as well as scoring 3 runs. Although he was held hitless because the outfield shifted 50 feet back every time he came to the plate, Ben Chambers had two monster sac fly's, one scoring Steve Dale from second base. The Lions took game one 12-4.
In game two, the offense put up one in the first, but continued to start slow, then breaking out in one inning. They put up four runs in the 3rd inning with some help from the opposing defense. Pat Lucas went 3 for 3 with 2 rbi's and Corey Mack went 2 for 3 with a double and a pair of rbi's to provide the offense and clutch hitting PSBC needed. Bubby Mroskey got the start and threw very well, allowing only one earned run over six innings while striking out 3. Bubby got the win, as Penn State rolled 12-2 in six innings.
In the final game of the series, we saw more of the same from the offense. A slow start, tallying only 3 runs in the first 4 innings, but then exploding for 7 in the top of the 5th. Both Steve Dale and Marty Cecire had two hit and two run days to spark the offense on Sunday. Freshman David Pyles got the start on the mound, throwing 4 innings and striking out 7 while allowing no runs and only one hit. Senior Gerard Vath relieved Pyles in the 5th and had a pair of strikeouts to close the game and give the Nittany Lions a 10-0 victory.
In game two, the offense put up one in the first, but continued to start slow, then breaking out in one inning. They put up four runs in the 3rd inning with some help from the opposing defense. Pat Lucas went 3 for 3 with 2 rbi's and Corey Mack went 2 for 3 with a double and a pair of rbi's to provide the offense and clutch hitting PSBC needed. Bubby Mroskey got the start and threw very well, allowing only one earned run over six innings while striking out 3. Bubby got the win, as Penn State rolled 12-2 in six innings.
In the final game of the series, we saw more of the same from the offense. A slow start, tallying only 3 runs in the first 4 innings, but then exploding for 7 in the top of the 5th. Both Steve Dale and Marty Cecire had two hit and two run days to spark the offense on Sunday. Freshman David Pyles got the start on the mound, throwing 4 innings and striking out 7 while allowing no runs and only one hit. Senior Gerard Vath relieved Pyles in the 5th and had a pair of strikeouts to close the game and give the Nittany Lions a 10-0 victory.
PSBC D2 TAKES BOTH GAMES OF THE DOUBLE HEADER ON SUNDAY
In his first appearance as a member of the PSBC, Mark Grassie dominated the game, allowing no hits over five innings and only allowing three base runners. Bubby Mroskey came in to complete the combined no hitter. Alex Gojkovich led the offense, getting on base all four times, with three base hits and a couple of RBI's. PSBC D2 came out with a 12-0 victory, again by mercy rule in six innings this game.
In game two of the double header, Peter Racioppo picked up right where Grassie and Mroskey left off. Racioppo threw six innings of no hit ball, and struck out 11 batters in the process. This time, David Pyles made his pitching debut and looked unhittable as he struck out three in a row, to keep Robert Morris out of the hit column for the second straight game. Steve Dale produced offense once again with another three hit performance. Following in his footsteps was Marty Cecire and Ben Chambers both added three hits a piece. Kevin Obermeier, in his Rick Ankiel-like transition from pitcher to outfielder, added two hits himself. The lions took game three 10-1, that run being unearned, in seven innings to start the year off 3-0.
In game two of the double header, Peter Racioppo picked up right where Grassie and Mroskey left off. Racioppo threw six innings of no hit ball, and struck out 11 batters in the process. This time, David Pyles made his pitching debut and looked unhittable as he struck out three in a row, to keep Robert Morris out of the hit column for the second straight game. Steve Dale produced offense once again with another three hit performance. Following in his footsteps was Marty Cecire and Ben Chambers both added three hits a piece. Kevin Obermeier, in his Rick Ankiel-like transition from pitcher to outfielder, added two hits himself. The lions took game three 10-1, that run being unearned, in seven innings to start the year off 3-0.
PSBC D2 STARTS OFF THE YEAR WITH A VICTORY
In their first series of the 2011 season, PSBC D2 jumped on Robert Morris early by dropping 11 runs in the top of the first inning. Not looking back, the Nittany Lions finished the first game by mercy rule in 5 innings with a 15-0 victory. Carl Motts threw a gem, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 7, having complete control from his first to his last pitch. Steve Dale led the offense with three hits, followed by Alex Klein and Corey Mack who had two hits a piece. Working the count payed as the Lions had a lot of base runners all day, resulting in a resounding victory.