Crunch time is coming for Penn State DuBois baseball and softball teams

DuBOIS, Pa. — Closing in on the end of the regular season, the baseball and softball teams at Penn State DuBois are deep within their schedules in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and are preparing their final push toward the conference playoffs. With both teams heading into another full week of games, several important matchups await.

The Lady Lions opened last week at home at Heindl Field when they welcomed PSUAC opponent Penn State Schuylkill on April 15. DuBois dropped both games of the doubleheader against Schuylkill, falling 4-2 in extra innings in game one and 10-2 in five innings in game two.

In game one, DuBois took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning on an RBI single by senior outfielder Makena Baney that scored freshman Leah Aldous. Senior pitcher Kelsey Stuart held Schuylkill scoreless through six innings, but Schuylkill tied the game in the seventh with a sacrifice fly and plated three more in the eighth — two unearned — on a single by Jade Weiss and an error.

DuBois responded in the bottom of the eighth with an RBI single from Stuart to score freshman Sienna Barnhart, but the rally fell short.

Stuart went the distance in the circle for DuBois, allowing seven hits and two earned runs over eight innings, striking out four. She also added a hit and an RBI at the plate. Senior Natalie Bowser led the offense with a 2-for-2 day, including a double.

In game two, Schuylkill jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run homer from Keira Devor. Schuylkill added five more in the third to break the game open, capitalizing on a pair of RBI hits and a passed ball.

DuBois scratched across single runs in the first and fourth innings. Barnhart delivered an RBI single in the first to score freshman Jessy Frank, while Aldous scored on a passed ball in the fourth.

Theresa Luongo took the loss in her first recorded pitching appearance, allowing nine earned runs on eight hits over two innings. Stuart returned in relief, surrendering just one unearned run across three innings.

Aldous and Frank each had a hit and a run scored, while Barnhart recorded the only RBI for the Lady Lions in game two.

Penn State DuBois looked to rebound on April 18 when it welcomed Penn State Mont Alto for a doubleheader. This would also mark senior day for the Lady Lions, as players who are preparing to graduate or move on to another campus were recognized between games.

Despite a valiant effort in both games, DuBois dropped both games of the doubleheader to Mont Alto, falling in the first game 7-6 and in the second game 7-4.

In the opener, Penn State DuBois rallied from an early four-run deficit to tie the game in the sixth inning, but a solo home run by Mont Alto’s Hailey Spielman in the top of the seventh proved to be the difference. Spielman finished the game 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and three RBIs. Teammate Kira Weikert also added three hits, including two doubles and an RBI.

DuBois was led by Frank, who went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Barnhart drove in two runs, and Baney added a pair of hits and an RBI. Stuart pitched a complete game in the loss, allowing seven runs on 13 hits with three strikeouts.

Game two saw Mont Alto pull away late with two runs in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to secure the sweep. Despite a 12-hit performance, DuBois was unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, stranding nine runners.

Stuart led the Lady Lions with three hits, including two doubles and an RBI. Audrey Walker contributed a pair of hits and two RBIs, while Kamryn Mactavish added a double and an RBI.

Luongo went the distance in the circle for DuBois, giving up nine hits and seven earned runs while striking out two.

Penn State DuBois softball now sits with a record of 12-11 for the season, 4-6 in the PSUAC.

On the baseball diamond, Penn State DuBois began the week by facing Clarion University in a nonconference game at Showers Field on April 15. Clarion, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division II team, presented a great in-season challenge for the Nittany Lions.

In the game, the Nittany Lions struggled to contain an explosive Clarion offense, falling 18-2.

Clarion racked up 22 hits and scored in seven of nine innings to hand DuBois a decisive defeat. The Golden Eagles jumped out early with four runs in the first inning and never looked back, highlighted by a three-run homer from outfielder Randy Carlo in the fourth.

Carlo went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and three runs scored to lead Clarion. Teammate G. Snyder added three hits and two RBIs, while Ethan Giangiulio and Ethan McNally each chipped in with three hits of their own.

Penn State DuBois managed to avoid the shutout with a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth. Ezeck Olinger delivered an RBI single, and Cole Bloom drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the second run. Olinger was one of eight players to collect a hit for the Nittany Lions.

Maclain Welshans took the loss for DuBois, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks over three innings. The pitching staff combined to surrender 18 earned runs on 22 hits, while walking 12 batters.

Despite the scoreline, Braylon Williams and Tanner Kephart each recorded a hit and scored a run in their late-inning appearances.

Clarion’s bullpen proved effective in relief, allowing just two runs in the final three innings after starter Cole Yeager pitched three scoreless frames to earn the win.

Following the loss, Penn State DuBois looked to rebound when they traveled to face Penn State Shenango away from home on April 17. This was a makeup game from a weather-related cancellation earlier in the season.

In the contest, the Nittany Lions exploded for 11 runs over the final three innings to secure a 13-3 win over Shenango at Neshannock High School.

Trailing 3-2 after four innings, DuBois tied the game in the fifth on an RBI double by Isaac Tiracorda, then took control with a seven-run sixth inning. A combination of timely hitting and defensive miscues by Shenango helped fuel the surge.

Grant Lillard led the way with three RBIs, while Tiracorda went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and a stolen base. Bryce Dobson added two RBIs, including a sacrifice fly during the sixth-inning rally. Braylen Corter and Kyle Elensky each drove in one, with Elensky also scoring three runs.

Travis Keister earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out three in 1.2 innings. Starter Jeff Romano went 4.1 innings, giving up three runs on three hits.

Shenango’s Jason Malley provided the home team’s highlight with a two-run home run in the fourth inning to briefly give his team the lead. The Lions' bullpen held Shenango scoreless the rest of the way.

Following the win over Shenango, Penn State DuBois went into a weekend home and home series with Penn State Fayette. The series began at Fayette on April 18 for a doubleheader.

On the day, DuBois baseball powered its way to a doubleheader sweep over Fayette, taking the first game 10-1 and the second 14-2.

In the first game, the DuBois offense erupted for 10 runs on 14 hits, highlighted by home runs from Lillard and Jake Sikora. Lillard went 1-for-1 with a walk, scoring three times and driving in a run with a solo homer. Sikora added a three-run shot in the fifth inning to put the game out of reach.

Cole Slaugenhoup contributed two RBIs, while Tiracorda and Alex Gavlock each doubled and drove in runs. Taylor Boland picked up the win on the mound, striking out 10 and allowing just one unearned run over six strong innings. Casey Serine closed out the game with a scoreless seventh.

DuBois exploded for six runs in the fifth inning to break open what had been a close game, aided by five extra-base hits and a string of Fayette miscues.

Game two saw even more offensive firepower from DuBois, which scored in every inning en route to a 14-2 win shortened to five innings by the run rule. Aaron Miller launched a two-run homer, and Olinger drove in two runs on a pair of hits, including a double. Colby Bodtorf and Gavlock each had two hits and two RBIs, while Cole Bloom also drove in two.

Zach Tiracorda earned the win, allowing three hits and two runs, one earned, over four innings. Josh Ross pitched a clean fifth inning to close out the sweep.

Fayette struggled both at the plate and on the mound, committing four errors across the two games and mustering just seven hits combined.

Penn State DuBois returned home to Showers Field on April 19 for the second part of the series with Penn State Fayette. Playing another PSUAC doubleheader, the Nittany Lions looked to keep their momentum moving in the right direction.

DuBois took care of business on its home turf, sweeping a doubleheader against Fayette with commanding wins of 13-3 and 10-0.

In game one, DuBois pounded out 17 hits in a 13-3 win, fueled by a five-run fifth inning and a balanced offensive attack. Ben Gritzer homered and drove in two runs, while Corter added three RBIs on three hits, including a double. Elensky had a pair of hits and two RBIs, and Nick Cagliola doubled twice and tripled in a three-hit effort.

Connor Cherry earned the win on the mound, striking out eight over five innings while allowing five hits and three earned runs. Austin Mitchell pitched a scoreless sixth to close it out.

In game two, DuBois stayed hot at the plate while shutting down Fayette in a 10-0, five-inning run-rule victory. Hayden Vaughn doubled and drove in two, Jorge Rodriguez added two RBIs, and Tanner Kephart knocked in a run on one of nine DuBois hits.

Zach Witherow struck out eight over four dominant innings to earn the win. Christian Hopp closed the door with a clean fifth.

Penn State DuBois now holds a 23-6 record for the season, including an undefeated record in the PSUAC at 16-0.

In the week ahead, the Penn State DuBois softball team will play its final regular season home games on Wednesday, April 23, when Carlow University comes to Heindl Field for a doubleheader. The first game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and the second game is scheduled to follow at 8 p.m.

Then, the Lady Lions will hit the road for the weekend, starting on Friday, April 25, when they travel to visit Penn State Hazleton for a PSUAC doubleheader. The first game at Hazleton will begin at 2 p.m. and the second game is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Finally, the Lady Lions will close out the week when they visit Penn State Scranton for another PSUAC doubleheader on Saturday, April 26. The doubleheader on this day will begin in the morning, with the first game scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and the second game starting around noon.

The Penn State DuBois baseball team is scheduled to be off until the weekend, but the weekend is full of games. The Nittany Lions return to action on Friday, April 25, when they host Penn State Beaver for their final PSUAC home series of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. for game one, and 4 p.m. for game two. This also will be senior day for the team.

The following day, Saturday, April 26, the two teams will play another PSUAC doubleheader, this time at Penn State Beaver. They will hold the same schedule as the day before, with the first game beginning at 2 p.m. and the second game to follow at 4 p.m.

Finally, the Nittany Lions will finish out the week on Sunday, April 27, when they travel to play Allegheny College for a single, nonconference game in Meadville. First pitch on this day is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For complete athletic schedules, including any weather-related changes, visit the Penn State DuBois athletic website.