Lions Take Lead but End Up Falling Short

MONROEVILLE, Pa. – In a matchup against CCAC Boyce, Penn State New Kensington baseball fell 15-8 in nine innings.

CCAC took the lead early in the bottom of the first inning, 6-0. The score remained the same heading into the fifth, until New Kensington started bringing in runs.

Justin Lindeman (Murrysville, Pa./ Franklin Regional) was first to bat for the Lions and singled. Noah Oddis (Lower Burrell, Pa./ Burrell) was walked and so was Sebastien Nelson (Ardmore, Okla./ Ardmore) soon after. With bases loaded, Tyler Elliot (Jeannette, Pa./ Jeannette) walked and Lindeman scored. With another walk from Josh Stuckley (Natrona Heights, Pa./ Highlands), Oddis ran to home. The score was then 6-2 with no outs. Vinny Ribar (Apollo, Pa./ Kiski Area) singled and Nelson was able to score, with the bases still loaded. The Lions got their second out, but continued scoring even while facing the pressure. Reise Matson (Kittanning, Pa./ Armstrong), Lindeman, and Oddis all singled back to back, and each had an RBI. After their third out, the Lions were up 7-6.

New Kensington couldn't hold on to their lead for very long though. CCAC came back and matched the Lions' runs, seven, and moved ahead 13-7.

In the top of the sixth, Elliot doubled. With two of his teammates getting walked, Elliot was able to advance to third. Christopher Rendulic (Port Vue, Pa./ South Allegheny) then reached first on a fielder's choice, and Elliot scored the only run for New Kensington during the inning. CCAC remained in the lead 13-8 moving into the bottom of the sixth.

CCAC scored again in both the seventh and eighth, but New Kensington couldn't push ahead.

Elliot had the only double of the game for the Lions. He also had one RBI, along with Ribar, Renduilc, Matson, Lindeman, and Stuckley. Oddis was able to get two. Rendulic and Stuckley both pitched for two innings and had one strikeout a piece. Stuckly didn't give away any hits or runs.

New Kensington will faceoff with Penn State Du Bois on Saturday, Feb. 23 for a double header. The games will take place at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Written by Janet Surma