MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - A long, sunny day that started with four baseball teams dwindled down to two as the 2022 United East Baseball Championship finished up its second day in Middletown, Pa. on Tuesday. Penn College bounced Lancaster Bible College from the tournament in the first game, defeating the Chargers, 16-10. In the second game, Penn State Abington punched their ticket to the Final as they defeated top-seeded Penn State Harrisburg, 9-6. Harrisburg was able to turn it around though, defeating Penn College, 13-4, to earn their spot alongside Abington in the Final.
The Final will start at 10 a.m. on Wednesday right back on the campus of Penn State Harrisburg. If Abington wins, they are crowned United East Champions and earn the NCAA Championship automatic bid. If Harrisburg is victorious, the teams will square off in a final winner-take-all game two.
GAME 1
Lancaster Bible College - 10
Penn College - 16
The first contest of the day followed suit with the two the previous day as the teams combined to score 26 runs. A trio of RBI singles and an error put the Wildcats ahead in the top of the inning, but the Chargers halved the score to 4-2 in the bottom of the frame. Penn College continued their offense into the second frame as they tacked on a pair more. Four more runs crossed the plate for each team in the third inning and the score went 10-6 going into the fourth. The runs halted momentarily but then both teams registered another in the sixth. In the bottom of the seventh, Lancaster Bible made its toughest push as they scored three but were unable to complete the comeback as Penn College added five over the next two frames.
The Wildcats finished with 17 hits including four from both Jacob Carles and Tristan Current. Jake Wagner, Connor Burke and Current each clocked a home run as well for the Wildcats.
On the bump, Ben Bretzman picked up the win as he tossed the first 6.0 innings. Joel Verrico earned a save on the day, holding the Chargers scoreless over the final 2.1 innings.
For Lancaster Bible, Ethan Varrichione had the top performance as he went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen bag.
GAME 2
Penn State Harrisburg - 6
Penn State Abington - 9
Tim Petrucelli got things going in the top of the first as his RBI single put Abington up 1-0. Harrisburg answered with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. A scoreless second led up to a three run third by Abington to put the Nittany Lions back on top, 4-2. The lead was expanded upon again as Abington tacked on a single run in both the fifth and sixth.
Harrisburg made a bid for a comeback as they were able to score three runs in the eighth, nearing the score to 6-5 but a Josh Baar pinch hit three-run homer in the top of the ninth ensured the Abington victory.
Abington piled up 13 hits coming from all over as nine players finished with one on the scoresheet. Ryan McCarty had a double and joined Baar in the home run club.
On the rubber, Jaden Himmelreich collected his seventh win of the year as he threw the first 7.0 innings. McCarty came in to finish the final 2.0 innings, earning the save in the process.
GAME 3
Penn College - 4
Penn State Harrisburg - 13
The Lions controlled this game right from the get go as they plated five runs over the first two frames. Penn College would get one back in the third inning, but a three run fourth from Harrisburg solidified an 8-1 lead. The Wildcats once again made a bid to comeback scoring three in the fifth but that was all they were able to muster.
Seven different Lions registered a hit in the contest including Matt Parks who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks. Maddux Ryan also displayed a solid performance going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.
On the base paths, Harrisburg was able to steal 10 bags. Dallas Hite led everyone with four while Parks finished with a pair.
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The United East has nine NCAA Division III member institutions which include: Gallaudet University, Lancaster Bible College, Morrisville State, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Wells College. The United East also includes three associate members in the sport of men’s golf including Rosemont College, Rutgers University – Camden and Wilson College. The United East has also partnered with the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference in the sports of men's and women's lacrosse and the North Atlantic Conference in men's tennis and women's tennis. For more information, please visit: gounitedeast.com.