Gettysburg bats down Penn State York in home opener, Bullet sluggers dominate play, Brown owns pitching mound for seven innings with strong relief bench

Photo courtesy of Gettysburg Athletics. Senior Henry Klimowicz (left) hit a two-run homer against Penn State Harrisburg.

Photo courtesy of Gettysburg Athletics. Senior Henry Klimowicz (left) hit a two-run homer against Penn State Harrisburg.

By Sean Bower, Contributing Writer

The Gettysburg College baseball team started its home season on March 18, with a dominating 13-2 victory over the Penn State York Nittany Lions. Every player in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit, all of which supported junior Eric Brown, who turned in a strong performance, going seven innings and allowing only two runs.

“It feels good. I mean, the guys behind me played great. So, you know, [I’m] just trying to throw strikes and get groundballs and get outs and that’s what I did,” said Brown, who struck out six Lions, only running into trouble in the seventh inning.

Guiding Brown through the windy conditions was his catcher, junior Will Anderson.

“Eric threw great. He was hitting his spots all day, keeping them off balance with his off-speed stuff. I just told him to focus up, throw strikes, and let the defense make the plays for him,” said Anderson, who recorded three hits, three RBI’s, and three runs. He fell a home run shy of hitting for the cycle.

The most notable highlight of the afternoon was sophomore Logan Sneed, who tied a school record, recording five hits.

“I’ve been seeing the ball well, and trying to stick with what I’ve been trying to do, hit the ball the opposite way, and I’ve been able to see some fastballs, put some good swings on the ball, so I feel pretty confident out there right now,” said Sneed, who, as with Anderson, scored three runs and fell a home run shy of the cycle.

Anderson, Sneed, and the rest of the Bullets’ offensive went to work immediately. In the bottom of the first, senior Luke Lawrence and Sneed both singled, before Anderson hit a towering two run triple off the right field fence.

Before the inning was over, two more runs scored. Seniors Henry Klimowicz, Andy Kelley, and Steve Wright each had productive at bats, producing the third run. The fourth scored on two errors by York shortstop Nicholas Schuler, allowing Kelley to score from third.

The Bullets would also score in the second, third, sixth, and seventh. In the latter inning, Sneed, junior Connor Tom, and Anderson recorded consecutive hits to start the frame to produce the team’s twelfth run. The thirteenth and final run scored, courtesy of an RBI double by Wright, driving home Tom.

The Bullets would have caused more damage, had York center fielder Jonny Stratton not robbed Klimowicz of extra bases with a great running grab. Still, the Bullets provided more than enough offensive for Brown and his relievers, sophomore Ryan Janiga and junior Jonathan Lucido.

“It’s just great to be able to put some runs on the board and get a win for Eric Brown, who’s been pitching well and I think everyone’s been hitting well, so it was a nice team win,” said Sneed.

The Bullets next home game is Friday, March 25 at 3:30 pm. Come out to support the team, as they take on Penn State Mont Alto!

 

 

Author: Web Editor

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