ALBANY, NY – Penn State Harrisburg continued play in the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship, dropping a heartbreaker to Randolph-Macon College by a score of 4-3 before knocking out host Russell Sage College in the nightcap, 8-5, to reach the Albany Regional Final.

In the Lions' first game of the day, they took an early lead against Randolph-Macon, scoring in the top of the first inning. Demetre Koutras III lifted a deep fly ball into right field, allowing James Quici to score. The Yellow Jackets answered back, leveling the score at one in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Harrisburg retook the lead in the sixth inning when Blaine Walimyer belted a solo home run over the right field fence. The Lions struck again in the seventh inning when Quici singled to right-center field, allowing Tim Haftl to score.

Randolph-Macon rallied in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring three runs to pull off the comeback victory.

Harrisburg’s offense was led by Walimyer, who went 2-for-4 with a home run. On the mound, Bradyn Eckert turned in a strong performance, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing one run on four hits.

The Lions looked to rebound in game two, taking on regional host Russell Sage. Quici got the action started with a solo home run to right field in the top of the first inning. The Gators answered back, scoring in the first and second innings to take a 2-1 lead.

Harrisburg leveled the score in the fourth inning when Chris Catania singled to left-center field, bringing home Haftl. The Lions then took control of the game in the fifth inning. Matthew Johansen singled through the right side, bringing home two runs. Later in the inning, Alexander Ruiz reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing another run to score and putting Harrisburg ahead 5-2.

The Lions tacked on one run in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, building an 8-2 lead. Russell Sage made one final push, hitting a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to pull within three runs. Parker Zook bounced back and pitched the final inning, preventing the Gators from getting a baserunner in the bottom of the ninth and securing the victory.

On the mound, Traeton Sauder earned the win, pitching 3.0 innings and allowing only two hits. Harrisburg’s offense was led by Johansen, who went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.