NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. – Penn State New Kensington got themselves one win against Penn State Beaver, 6-5, but lost the other, 15-9.
Throughout the first game, Beaver had the lead during the first two innings, 4-1. In the bottom of the second, Noah Oddis (Lower Burrell, Pa./ Burrell) scored for New Kensington. He got on base, advanced to second on a walk, and eventually scored when Darius Bennis (Leechburg, Pa./ Leechburg) flied out to left field.
In the third inning, New Kensington scored again. Tyler Elliot (Jeanette, Pa./ Jeanette) singled to left field to get on base and made it home when Oddis singled.
With Beaver still ahead 4-2, New Kensington didn't stop scoring until they caught up. In the fourth inning, Sebastien Nelson (Ardmore, Okla./ Ardmore) singled to right center. New Kensington then faced two outs. With no room for mistakes, Vinny Ribar (Apollo, Pa./ Kiski Area) singled to left field and Nelson moved to second. Elliot tripled to right field and brought in Nelson and Ribar for the score. Elliot also scored in the inning. New Kensington was now up by one at the end of the fourth.
Both teams scored one in the last inning, which allowed New Kensington to claim the win. Christopher Rendulic (Port Vue, Pa./ South Allegheny) singled to left field and made his way to second. Nelson singled to right field, which put Rendulic on third and in scoring range. He scored New Kensington's last run.
Elliot and Bennis had two RBIs, and Elliot tripled.
In the second game, Ribar scored in the first inning. After that, the Lions didn't score again until the bottom of the third, making the score 3-3. Ribar singled to left field and stole second. After Elliot doubled, Ribar scored. Reise Matson (Kittanning, Pa./ Armstrong) singled and allowed Elliot to score.
Beaver scored one more in the top of the fourth and two in the fifth. They were ahead 6-3 when New Kensington was up to bat in the bottom of the fifth.
Justin Lindeman (Murrysville, Pa./ Franklin Regional) homered and almost put New Kensington in front of Beaver.
Beaver then scored themselves five runs in the sixth inning, and New Kensington matched that in the bottom of the inning. Anthonio Rhome (Monessen, Pa./ Monessen) got on base first after getting hit by the pitch. Bennis singled to left field and Ribar singled to right field. Rhome scored. Elliot singled and brought in Austin O'Hara (New Kensington, Pa./ Saint Joseph) who went in for Bennis. Ribar also scored with a single from Matson and Elliot scored right after. Lindeman homered again and got the Lions their last run before facing the last out. Beaver remained up by two heading into the last inning, 11-9.
Scoring four, Beaver pushed ahead even further, but New Kensington remained at nine.
Ribar, Elliot, and Oddis all doubled during the game. Lindeman got himself two homeruns and two RBIs.
New Kensington will play at home against Penn State Fayette on Fri., April 12 at 2 p.m.
Written by Janet Surma