LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. – Penn State New Kensington took two losses this afternoon against Penn State Fayette, 7-2 and 4-3.

Up until the bottom of the third in the first game, there was little action from New Kensington and Beaver. Beaver picked it up and got themselves three runs in the third and two more in the fourth inning. New Kensington was down 5-0 after Beaver batted.

During the top of the fifth, Anthonio Rhome (Monessen, Pa./ Monessen) doubled. Darius Bennis (Leechburg, Pa./ Leechburg) was walked and Vinny Ribar (Apollo, Pa./ Kiski Area) singled. With bases loaded, New Kensington faced their last two outs and all three players were left on base. Beaver went on to score one run.

With two outs in the top of the sixth, Noah Oddis (Lower Burrell, Pa./ Burrell) singled and advanced to second quickly. Sebastien Nelson (Ardmore, Okla./ Ardmore) and Rhome made it on base as well. After a single from Bennis, Oddis scored. Nelson scored the second run for New Kensington when Ribar singled. Right before the last inning, the score was 7-2, Beaver. New Kensington didn't bring in any runs in the seventh inning, so Beaver took the win.

Ribar and Bennis each had one RBI, and Rhome doubled. Justin Lindeman (Murrysville, Pa./ Franklin Regional) pitched for the whole game.

The second game's score was a lot closer than the first, and almost led New Kensington to a victory.

In the first inning, Ribar singed and stole second. He then made it to third and scored after Reise Matson (Kittanning, Pa./ Armstrong) flied out to right field. Beaver responded back with two runs, putting them in the lead by one.

Beaver scored again in the bottom of the third, but New Kensington tied up the score in the top of the fifth. Rhome got on base after getting hit by the pitch. With Ribar up to bat, he tripled and Rhome scored. Tyler Elliot (Jeannette, Pa./ Jeannette) then doubled and Ribar scored. The score remained 3-3 until the last inning, when Beaver scored one.

Ribar, Elliot, and Matson all had one RBI. Christopher Rendulic (Port Vue, Pa./ South Allegheny) pitched all innings and struck out three.

New Kensington will return to play on Tue., April 16 against Lorain CCC. The games will take place at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Written by Janet Surma