Cold Weather, Hot Offense
The cold could not delay the beginning of the season any longer. So the two teams kicked of their spring seasons without Mother Nature's permission. Frank Szubra found himself out on the mound chucking in 30 degree frigid weather in game one. Szubra found some success after struggling to find zone early in the freezing temperatures. Szubra claimed "It's too cold, and I can't get my grip." But the Nits did not need much from "the striped one" as they exploded in the first inning, plating 4 quick runs and batting once through the order. Brendan Monahan, Pat Lucas, and David Pyles all contributed heavily with 3 hits a piece. The freshman Jake Tobin made his first appearance in a PSBC uniform. Jobin pitched 3 quality relief innings. The hits kept coming and after 7 innings, the final score was 11-5.
Game two was more of the same from the offense. Penn State lineup went with a different look, but the result was the same...runs. PSU scored 5 in the first and there were plenty to follow. Brendan Monahan followed up his game one showcase with another solid performance at the plate. Monahan reached base all three plate appearances, including two doubles and a walk. Wow...what a stud. Seasoned vet, and team cookie monster David Pyles took the hill. Pyles was in control from start to finish racking up 6 K's and allowing only 3 hits in a 5 inning shutout. The game ended 10-0 due to the mercy rule.
Sunday's game three was even more offensively overwhelming. PSU was hot out of the gate again with four in the first . Then they followed up with 7 in the third inning and essentially put the game away. Freshman shortstop Shane McMurtry, and senior David Lovecchio each had three hits on the day. Bryan Artfitch started on the mound and Ben Sallade got his first win in relief of Artfitch. The mercy rule was again in effect with a final tab of 18-3. A strong showing from the new-look Nits who have had to replace some PSBC legends.
Game two was more of the same from the offense. Penn State lineup went with a different look, but the result was the same...runs. PSU scored 5 in the first and there were plenty to follow. Brendan Monahan followed up his game one showcase with another solid performance at the plate. Monahan reached base all three plate appearances, including two doubles and a walk. Wow...what a stud. Seasoned vet, and team cookie monster David Pyles took the hill. Pyles was in control from start to finish racking up 6 K's and allowing only 3 hits in a 5 inning shutout. The game ended 10-0 due to the mercy rule.
Sunday's game three was even more offensively overwhelming. PSU was hot out of the gate again with four in the first . Then they followed up with 7 in the third inning and essentially put the game away. Freshman shortstop Shane McMurtry, and senior David Lovecchio each had three hits on the day. Bryan Artfitch started on the mound and Ben Sallade got his first win in relief of Artfitch. The mercy rule was again in effect with a final tab of 18-3. A strong showing from the new-look Nits who have had to replace some PSBC legends.
PSBC D2 Takes Two From Non-Conference Opponent
A rendezvous on a sunny Saturday for PSBC D2 and NCBA future hall of famer Ben Chambers, who is now a member of UPenn’s club baseball team, allowed PSBC D2 to get the best of Chambers and his new team. Jake “Jacbon” Tobin got the ball in game one for the nits. He was able to pick up the win surrendering just three runs and striking out seven in six innings of work. David Pyles had three RBIs on the day with three hits to lead the offensive charge for the PSBC D2. While Upenn was able to make the game close after the fourth inning with a score of 4-3, the bats got hot again for PSBC D2 in the sixth scoring one run and five runs in the top of the seventh. The lead was held onto as Ben Sallade closed out of the bottom of the seventh with a 1-2-3 inning on the mound and striking out the infamous Ben Chambers to end the game. PSBC D2 with the win 10-3.
Game two was shortened to 5 innings due to the mercy rule as PSBC D2 plated six runs in the fifth inning. Frank Szubra was on the mound to start game two for the nits and was able to pick up the complete game win. He struck out three and surrendered just two hits in his five innings of work. The offense for game two was led by Chris Frande, Vernon Martin, Ben Sallade, and Mike Whittendale who combined for six hits along with six RBIs. The final score finished 11-0 as the nits improve to (3-0, 5-0) on the year.
Game two was shortened to 5 innings due to the mercy rule as PSBC D2 plated six runs in the fifth inning. Frank Szubra was on the mound to start game two for the nits and was able to pick up the complete game win. He struck out three and surrendered just two hits in his five innings of work. The offense for game two was led by Chris Frande, Vernon Martin, Ben Sallade, and Mike Whittendale who combined for six hits along with six RBIs. The final score finished 11-0 as the nits improve to (3-0, 5-0) on the year.
PSBC D2 Sweeps CMU
Ben Sallade got his first start of the year in game one for the PSBC D2 and he took full advantage of the opportunity. The PSBC D2 rookie pitched a complete game allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out eight Tartans. The only run surrendered by Sallade was scored as unearned. The nits trailed 1-0 as they came up to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and did not waste any time in responding with some offense of their own. Shane McMurtry picked up two RBI on a single which allowed the nits to go up for good in the game and hold the lead ending in a 5-1 victory. David Pyles stayed hot at that plate with a 3 for 3 effort aiding the nits offensive effort. PSBC D2 improved to (4-0, 6-0) on the year.
Game two was all offense for PSBC D2 despite trailing the Tartans 3-0 after the top of the 2nd inning. The nits' bats answered quickly scoring three runs of their own in the bottom of the 2nd inning tieing the game. Thereafter, 5 runs in the 3rd, 4 runs in the 4th, and a walk-off single by Derek Charlie in the 5th inning to bring the 10-run mercy rule into effect finished off the game and a 13-3 win for PSBC D2. Bryan Artfitch started game two and recorded the complete game victory allowing four hits and striking out two over his five innings of work. While the whole lineup managed to contribute, Shae Ferguson and Will Bennett managed three noteabRBI in the nits' win.
Ryan DeJesso got his first start of the year and was limited to a pitch count on his first outing of the year which allowed him to throw the first two innings. The nits fell behind early but tied the game in the bottom of the first inning 1-1 on a fielder's choice play. Jacob Tobin came into relief and did not disappoint as he held the Tartans hitless over the five innings of relief work allowing just one run. The Tartans took a 2-1 lead in the 3rd inning and lost it after the 4th inning when the nits scored two runs off of RBI singles from David Pyles and Derek Charlie. The nits completed the sweep of CMU and improved to (6-0, 8-0) on the year.
Game two was all offense for PSBC D2 despite trailing the Tartans 3-0 after the top of the 2nd inning. The nits' bats answered quickly scoring three runs of their own in the bottom of the 2nd inning tieing the game. Thereafter, 5 runs in the 3rd, 4 runs in the 4th, and a walk-off single by Derek Charlie in the 5th inning to bring the 10-run mercy rule into effect finished off the game and a 13-3 win for PSBC D2. Bryan Artfitch started game two and recorded the complete game victory allowing four hits and striking out two over his five innings of work. While the whole lineup managed to contribute, Shae Ferguson and Will Bennett managed three noteabRBI in the nits' win.
Ryan DeJesso got his first start of the year and was limited to a pitch count on his first outing of the year which allowed him to throw the first two innings. The nits fell behind early but tied the game in the bottom of the first inning 1-1 on a fielder's choice play. Jacob Tobin came into relief and did not disappoint as he held the Tartans hitless over the five innings of relief work allowing just one run. The Tartans took a 2-1 lead in the 3rd inning and lost it after the 4th inning when the nits scored two runs off of RBI singles from David Pyles and Derek Charlie. The nits completed the sweep of CMU and improved to (6-0, 8-0) on the year.
Pyles Perfect, PSBC D2 Errorless in Sweep
It was a slow start for the PSBC D2 early in game one as they found themselves behind 3-0 after two innings. However, the bats finally warmed up in the third inning as the nits tied the game and finally in the sixth inning exploded for seven runs to bring the 10-run mercy rule into effect. Brendan Monahan was a HR shy of a cycle this game but he still produced a three RBI performance for the PSBC D2. Ben Sallade also had a three RBI performance with three hits and Pat Lucas scored twice turning in a 2 for 3 performance with one walk. Frank Szubra picked up the complete game victory on the mound and despite some early trouble he managed to retire the last 10 batters in a row with sound defense behind him. 13-3 PSBC D2 in 6 innings.
Mark Grassie took the mound for the first time of the year for the nits and displayed an impressive performance going 5 innings allowing just three hits and striking out two earning the win. Jacob Tobin secured the victory for PSBC D2 pitching the last two innings in relief. The PSBC D2 was hot early in this game in contrast to last game plating seven runs in the first three innings and adding three more runs in the top of the 7th inning. Brendan Monahan stayed hot racking up three RBI for the nits along with Pat Lucas turning a 2 for 4 performance with an RBI double and one walk. A noteable effort from David Lovecchio at the plate for the nits' offense as he continues to put in great at-bats and work deep into counts managed three walks on the day in a 1 for 2 performance. 10-0 PSBC D2 game two.
David Pyles was the story for game three. He threw a 5-inning PERFECT GAME as the game ended early due to the 10-run mercy rule as the nits were leading 12-0 after three innings and it would end that way. Despite some early drama in the game, the PSBC D2 offense was not distracted and nor was Pyles. Pyles battled through every batter efficiently throwing 10 of 15 first pitch strikes and showing superb command on the mound. Brendan Monahan again led the PSBC D2 offensive efforts reaching base three times and hitting the PSBC D2's first HR of the year to the moon. Luckily for him, zebras make perfect astronauts and he was able to "fetch" his HR ball which Monahan refused to keep because St. Francis was low on game balls as they had already thrown a game ball 493 feet across the county line into the woods early in the game. Whittendale continues to get hit by pitches and leads the NCBA D2 currently with 7 HBP in 8 games played. Simply amazing. Overall, the whole team contributed to the offense this weekend and the team did not have any errors in the field in their sweep over St. Francis. PSBC D2 improved to (9-0, 11-0) on the year.
Mark Grassie took the mound for the first time of the year for the nits and displayed an impressive performance going 5 innings allowing just three hits and striking out two earning the win. Jacob Tobin secured the victory for PSBC D2 pitching the last two innings in relief. The PSBC D2 was hot early in this game in contrast to last game plating seven runs in the first three innings and adding three more runs in the top of the 7th inning. Brendan Monahan stayed hot racking up three RBI for the nits along with Pat Lucas turning a 2 for 4 performance with an RBI double and one walk. A noteable effort from David Lovecchio at the plate for the nits' offense as he continues to put in great at-bats and work deep into counts managed three walks on the day in a 1 for 2 performance. 10-0 PSBC D2 game two.
David Pyles was the story for game three. He threw a 5-inning PERFECT GAME as the game ended early due to the 10-run mercy rule as the nits were leading 12-0 after three innings and it would end that way. Despite some early drama in the game, the PSBC D2 offense was not distracted and nor was Pyles. Pyles battled through every batter efficiently throwing 10 of 15 first pitch strikes and showing superb command on the mound. Brendan Monahan again led the PSBC D2 offensive efforts reaching base three times and hitting the PSBC D2's first HR of the year to the moon. Luckily for him, zebras make perfect astronauts and he was able to "fetch" his HR ball which Monahan refused to keep because St. Francis was low on game balls as they had already thrown a game ball 493 feet across the county line into the woods early in the game. Whittendale continues to get hit by pitches and leads the NCBA D2 currently with 7 HBP in 8 games played. Simply amazing. Overall, the whole team contributed to the offense this weekend and the team did not have any errors in the field in their sweep over St. Francis. PSBC D2 improved to (9-0, 11-0) on the year.
PSBC DII clinches playoff spot
Poor weather throughout the beginning of the weekend forced the PSBC DII to play a triple header on Sunday with game one beginning at 11:00 AM. David Pyles took the ball in game one and did not disappoint. Pyles picked up the complete game victory by allowing four hits, walking zero, and striking out six. The nits broke things open in the third inning by scoring six runs with Chris Frande's bases clearing double a big part of it. PSBC DII finished the game in the 5th inning by a score of 10-0 inducing the mercy rule after Brendan Monahan's RBI single scored Ben Sallade.
Game two was more of the same for PSBC DII as they beat the Vulcans in a shortened 5 inning game again due to the mercy rule. Jacob "Jacbon" Tobin got the start on the mound and also earned the complete game victory striking out four and allowing just two runs. Chris Frande again stayed hot at the plate in a 3 hit 3 RBI effort. David Pyles also picked up 3 RBIs in a 2 hit day at the plate. The final score ended at 13-2. The rally gnome was at this point spotted doing push-ups for every run scored and could not keep up as he passed out after the 20th run on top of the dugout. More on his condition later.
Mark Grassie took the mound for the third and final game of the series. He managed to pick up the win after pitching 5 innings and surrendering three runs. Jon Neseth made his PSBC DII debut by coming into finish the last two innings of play allowing one run and striking out three to preserve the win for the nits. Shae Ferguson had the hot bat in game three with a 3 hit 3 RBI game. Also a big shout out to David Lovecchio for scoring his first run of the season in this game as he has been troubled by the courtesy runner role. Bryan Artfitch has been soaring around the bases all season in the courtesy runner role scoring from second on routine groundballs to the infield. PSBC DII plated runs in all innings except the fifth in a consistent effort completing the sweep by a final game score of 9-4 to clinch a playoff spot. The rally gnome however was not as lucky. Due to his long nap atop the dugout, he suffered some terrible sunburn and turned into a grumpy, wandering gnome during the post game clean up. The team wishes him well and hopes to see him back for this weekend's upcoming series against WVU.
Game two was more of the same for PSBC DII as they beat the Vulcans in a shortened 5 inning game again due to the mercy rule. Jacob "Jacbon" Tobin got the start on the mound and also earned the complete game victory striking out four and allowing just two runs. Chris Frande again stayed hot at the plate in a 3 hit 3 RBI effort. David Pyles also picked up 3 RBIs in a 2 hit day at the plate. The final score ended at 13-2. The rally gnome was at this point spotted doing push-ups for every run scored and could not keep up as he passed out after the 20th run on top of the dugout. More on his condition later.
Mark Grassie took the mound for the third and final game of the series. He managed to pick up the win after pitching 5 innings and surrendering three runs. Jon Neseth made his PSBC DII debut by coming into finish the last two innings of play allowing one run and striking out three to preserve the win for the nits. Shae Ferguson had the hot bat in game three with a 3 hit 3 RBI game. Also a big shout out to David Lovecchio for scoring his first run of the season in this game as he has been troubled by the courtesy runner role. Bryan Artfitch has been soaring around the bases all season in the courtesy runner role scoring from second on routine groundballs to the infield. PSBC DII plated runs in all innings except the fifth in a consistent effort completing the sweep by a final game score of 9-4 to clinch a playoff spot. The rally gnome however was not as lucky. Due to his long nap atop the dugout, he suffered some terrible sunburn and turned into a grumpy, wandering gnome during the post game clean up. The team wishes him well and hopes to see him back for this weekend's upcoming series against WVU.
PSBC DII Clinches Conference Title
A warm and sunny spring Saturday got the PSBC DII excited for their regular season series finale against WVU as they needed just one win to clinch the conference title and the #1 seed. They would waste no time and grabbed that win in game one. Frank Szubra took the mound for the nits and earned the win while allowing no earned runs, scattering five hits, and striking out three. Jake Tobin relieved Szubra in the 6th inning got the last five outs on the mound for PSBC DII to conserve the victory. PSBC DII found themselves behind 1-0 after four innings but things would change in the fifth inning. PSBC DII plated five runs in the 5th thanks to a 3-run home run by Shae Ferguson which was his first on the year. PSBC DII went on to win game one by a score of 5-2.
In game two, PSBC DII woke the bats up early by scoring 6 runs in the 2nd inning and taking a commanding lead early. Mike Whittendale started things off with a RBI double which was followed by a 3-run home run from Will Bennett. Shae Ferguson also hit a solo HR which was his second of the day. Bennett managed four RBIs on the day for the PSBC DII's offense. Bryan Artfitch started on the mound for the nits and he earned the win through 6 innings pitched allowing one earned run and striking out five. The game got close in the sixth inning due to a few PSBC DII errors and was sitting at a score of 8-6 going into the bottom of the 6th. PSBC DII, however, would answer strongly with 7 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. A two RBI single by David Pyles, another RBI double by Mike Whittendale, and a RBI single by Ryan DeJesso aided in the big inning for the nits. Jon Neseth pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the 7th and struck out two. PSBC DII went on to win game two by a score of 15-6.
Game three on Sunday turned out to be a pitcher's duel for the first 5 innings. Ty Yazujian got the start on the mound for his PSBC DII debut and did not disappoint. Yazujian did not allow a hit until the 6th inning. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and struck out four. A few errors in the 6th inning allowed WVU to plate several unearned runs against reliever David Pyles. It was not until the 7th inning that PSBC DII was able to score their first runs of the game. Chris Frande hit a grand slam for his first HR of the year in the bottom of the 7th inning for the nits but it was not enough. The PSBC DII would go on to drop their first game of the year in the final game of the regular season by a score of 7-5. PSBC DII is the #1 seed heading into the District I regional playoffs hosted in Erie, PA, and they look forward to playing with a clean slate and the challenges ahead.
In game two, PSBC DII woke the bats up early by scoring 6 runs in the 2nd inning and taking a commanding lead early. Mike Whittendale started things off with a RBI double which was followed by a 3-run home run from Will Bennett. Shae Ferguson also hit a solo HR which was his second of the day. Bennett managed four RBIs on the day for the PSBC DII's offense. Bryan Artfitch started on the mound for the nits and he earned the win through 6 innings pitched allowing one earned run and striking out five. The game got close in the sixth inning due to a few PSBC DII errors and was sitting at a score of 8-6 going into the bottom of the 6th. PSBC DII, however, would answer strongly with 7 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. A two RBI single by David Pyles, another RBI double by Mike Whittendale, and a RBI single by Ryan DeJesso aided in the big inning for the nits. Jon Neseth pitched a scoreless inning of relief in the 7th and struck out two. PSBC DII went on to win game two by a score of 15-6.
Game three on Sunday turned out to be a pitcher's duel for the first 5 innings. Ty Yazujian got the start on the mound for his PSBC DII debut and did not disappoint. Yazujian did not allow a hit until the 6th inning. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and struck out four. A few errors in the 6th inning allowed WVU to plate several unearned runs against reliever David Pyles. It was not until the 7th inning that PSBC DII was able to score their first runs of the game. Chris Frande hit a grand slam for his first HR of the year in the bottom of the 7th inning for the nits but it was not enough. The PSBC DII would go on to drop their first game of the year in the final game of the regular season by a score of 7-5. PSBC DII is the #1 seed heading into the District I regional playoffs hosted in Erie, PA, and they look forward to playing with a clean slate and the challenges ahead.
2013 District I Champions
In game one of the regional playoffs, PSBC D2 faced off against the #3 seed SUNY-Buffalo. PSBC D2 got off to a hot start by scoring 5 runs in the first inning. The offensive effort was led by Pat Lucas who had a 3-4 night at the plate scoring once with a double and a RBI. Ty Yazujian was on the hill for the nittany lions and he managed to pick up the complete game win. He allowed just four hits and struck out five in his seven innings of work. The nits added four more runs in the bottom of the third inning to make the score 9-0 and would cruise comfortably to a 9-4 victory.
In the semi-finals of the regional playoffs, PSBC D2 competed against the #4 seed WVU. The nits were certain to not forget their first loss of the season just 6 days prior which came to WVU. After a three up three down top of the first inning, the PSBC D2 bats provided a surge of offense. PSBC D2 scored 10 runs in the first inning followed by 8 runs in the second inning to give the nits a relaxing 18-0 lead after two innings of play. Everyone in the lineup contributed but it was Ryan DeJesso who had the standout day at the plate. He went 3-3 with a double and 4 RBI in the game. Vernon Martin also managed a 2-2 day with a triple and Derek Charlie had 2 RBI with a double as well. Jacob Tobin picked up the complete game victory through five innings of work allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out six. PSBC D2 finished the game in five innings due to the mercy rule with a final score of 19-2.
PSBC D2 found themselves in the District I championship game against WVU again where they would have to be defeated twice to be eliminated and win just once to advance to the world series. Sure enough, one game was all it took for the nittany lions to get the job done and advance to the 2013 NCBA DII World Series. Ben Sallade was back on the mound for the nits after sitting out a few weeks due to an injury suffered in the Cal U (PA) series. The game remained a pitcher's duel for a few innings until Brendan Monahan's solo HR in the bottom of the 4th inning broke up the tie. The nittany lions managed one more run in the bottom of the 6th inning when Jordan Lunardini reached on an error and was able to come around to score after another mountaineer error. Sallade held the mountaineers hitless through 6 1/3 innings until they finally broke up his no-hitter. He would go on to earn the win after pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing just 2 hits and striking out three. Jon Neseth picked up the save after coming in to get the final two outs. The final score was 2-0 and PSBC D2 now finds themselves heading to Paducah, Kentucky, to compete for a national championship!
In the semi-finals of the regional playoffs, PSBC D2 competed against the #4 seed WVU. The nits were certain to not forget their first loss of the season just 6 days prior which came to WVU. After a three up three down top of the first inning, the PSBC D2 bats provided a surge of offense. PSBC D2 scored 10 runs in the first inning followed by 8 runs in the second inning to give the nits a relaxing 18-0 lead after two innings of play. Everyone in the lineup contributed but it was Ryan DeJesso who had the standout day at the plate. He went 3-3 with a double and 4 RBI in the game. Vernon Martin also managed a 2-2 day with a triple and Derek Charlie had 2 RBI with a double as well. Jacob Tobin picked up the complete game victory through five innings of work allowing just 2 runs on 3 hits while striking out six. PSBC D2 finished the game in five innings due to the mercy rule with a final score of 19-2.
PSBC D2 found themselves in the District I championship game against WVU again where they would have to be defeated twice to be eliminated and win just once to advance to the world series. Sure enough, one game was all it took for the nittany lions to get the job done and advance to the 2013 NCBA DII World Series. Ben Sallade was back on the mound for the nits after sitting out a few weeks due to an injury suffered in the Cal U (PA) series. The game remained a pitcher's duel for a few innings until Brendan Monahan's solo HR in the bottom of the 4th inning broke up the tie. The nittany lions managed one more run in the bottom of the 6th inning when Jordan Lunardini reached on an error and was able to come around to score after another mountaineer error. Sallade held the mountaineers hitless through 6 1/3 innings until they finally broke up his no-hitter. He would go on to earn the win after pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing just 2 hits and striking out three. Jon Neseth picked up the save after coming in to get the final two outs. The final score was 2-0 and PSBC D2 now finds themselves heading to Paducah, Kentucky, to compete for a national championship!