Baseball Snags First Conference Win of the Season

MONACA, Pa. – Penn State New Kensington snagged their first conference win of the season against Penn State Beaver, 10-7.

The scoring started in the top of the third by New Kensington. Vinny Ribar (Apollo, Pa./ Kiski Area) and Tyler Elliot (Jeannette, Pa./ Jeanette) both got on base, and Reise Matson (Kittanning, Pa./ Armstrong) followed with singled to right field allowing Ribar to score. Anthonio Rhome (Monessen, Pa./ Monessen) pinch ran for Matson, and he and Elliot scored when Christopher Rendulic (Port Vue, Pa./ South Allegheny) reached first on an error by Beaver's third baseman. New Kensington was up 3-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, Beaver began bringing in runs, two. This made the score 3-2 with New Kensington still in the lead.

New Kensington then scored five runs in the fifth inning, pushing them ahead 8-2. Ribar and Elliot both singled, putting them on base. Matson was walked, and with bases loaded, Justin Lindeman (Murrysville, Pa./ Franklin Regional) singled to centerfield and brought home Ribar and Elliot. Again, Rhome pinch ran for Matson. He also scored after Redulic singled to left field. Noah Oddis (Lower Burrell, Pa.) then made it to first after getting walked. Darius Bennis (Leechburg, Pa./ Leechburg) singled to right field which led to two more runs by Rendulic and Oddis.

New Kensington scored two in the top of the sixth, maintaining their lead. Elliot was first to bat and singled to center field. He then stole second, and Matson got to first after being walked. Rhome took Matson's place. Elliot and Rhome both advanced to the next base and scored when Oddis tripled. New Kensington was then ahead 10-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth.

Beaver got themselves five more runs throughout the rest of the game, but it wasn't enough to take the win from New Kensington.

Rendulic had three RBIs, and Lindeman, Oddis, and Bennis had two. Oddis also doubled and tripled.

New Kensington and Beaver will finish up their final two games on Sat., April 6 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Written by Janet Surma