ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend baseball team led by Evan Bukowski's five RBI afternoon collected two big wins over conference opponent Pitt-Greensburg to advance in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) playoffs, 8-6 and 6-1.
Out due to injury, Mike Moyer returned to start his first game on the mound for the No. 3 Lions (22-10) in over three weeks. The sophomore hurler had trouble knocking the rust off as he gave up six earned runs in the first two innings of the opener to the No. 6 Bobcats (14-9), 6-0.
Down big, Behrend's offense began to wake up, posting five runs in the bottom of the third inning, 5-6. This offensive surge was initiated by a Harry Latta single to right field. Latta eventually scored on an RBI double down the infield line by Ed Kessler. Bukowski joined the rally, chipping in with two of his five RBIs.
The Lions scored three runs in the bottom fifth making it eight unanswered for Behrend, none of which more important than the Paterniti-Bukowski suicide squeeze. After knotting the game at 6-all, head coach Paul Benim signaled for Joe Paterniti to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Bukowski was called safe at home, finding his way by diving underneath Greensburg's catcher Zerbini's legs, 8-6.
Andy Kountz pitched four-shutout relief innings for Behrend in the game-one win. Kountz struck out three batters while allowing only three hits. Chad Zurat picked up the save. The freshmen was charged with the game's three final outs, two of which by way of K's.
The key story in game two was that each team had their fair chances and recorded the identical number of hits. The Lions (23-10), came out on top by converging six runs on seven hits, while Greensburg was held to one lone run, 6-1.
With the score 1-1 after three, Behrend tallied two runs in the fourth to take the lead and then added three more in the sixth en route to a 6-1 win over the Bobcats (14-10).
Ryan Zamiskie battled four 5.1 innings giving up five hits, one earned run and sat down three batters. Jay Condit earned the save after relieving Zamiskie midway through the fifth.
The Lions will advance to the next round of the AMCC Tournament being held at Penn State Altoona, May 12.
