FORT PIERCE, Fl. – The Penn State Behrend baseball team picked up their first win of the season Monday, 11-7, against Lebanon Valley.
The Lions (1-3) overcame a five-run deficit by scoring seven in the fifth-inning to help defeat the Dutchmen (2-1) for the first win of the year.
After a couple early runs from Lebanon Valley in the first two innings, David Boehme (Venetia, PA/Seton-La Salle) got Behrend on the board in the bottom of the third after grounding out to the shortstop and sending Ryan Hamm (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) home.
The Dutchmen hit a hot streak in the top of the fourth, scoring four runs to hold a 6-1 advantage. However, after the Lebanon Valley rally, Behrend got their bats going.
In the bottom of the fifth, with the bases loaded from a few singles, John Brittner (Zelienople, PA/Seneca Valley) led the charge, roping a single to second base, scoring Tanner Cicchini (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair). The next batter, Justin Foreman (Oakdale, PA/South Fayette) smashed a double into center field that cleared the bases, bringing the Lions within one run (6-5).
Directly after that, Zach Murray (Pittsburgh, PA/Baldwin) was able to reach first base on an error, and also advanced to second base, scoring Foreman for the game-tying run. Ian Taylor (Wexford, PA/Vincentian Academy) contributed to the rally with a single to right field, scoring Murray. The Lions scored one more run in the inning from a passed ball, making the score 8-6.
After one more run in the seventh from Lebanon Valley, Boehme pitched the final two innings to close out the game. Phil Myers (DuBois, PA/DuBois Central Catholic) posted his first win of the season, throwing seven innings and striking out one.
Scott Sada (Saegertown, PA/Saegertown) went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two singles in the game, while also scoring twice for Behrend. Taylor and Brittner both finished the game with singles.
The Lions return to the diamond tomorrow at 10 a.m. against Dominican.