FORT PIERCE, FL – Lebanon Valley scored one run in the bottom of the 14th to get past the Penn State Behrend baseball team 4-3 in non-conference action on Friday afternoon.
The Lions (4-3) tallied a season-high 13 hits but could not score in the final six innings.
Dante DeSantis (DuBois, PA/DuBois Central Catholic) started on the hill for Behrend. The sophomore hurler threw six innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out nine.
After six innings, the Lions were down 2-1. In the seventh, James Verona (Murrysville, PA/Franklin Regional) started the inning with a single. Tommy Kocur (Erie, PA/McDowell) followed with a single and suddenly Behrend was in business. After two outs, Ryan Kragnes (Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park) came up with a clutch single to tie the game at 2-all.
In the eighth, Matt DiDiano (Export, PA/Franklin Regional) recorded his first collegiate RBI, driving in Matt Bittner (Lancaster, NY/St. Mary's) who started the inning with a single. Heading into the ninth, the Lions held a 3-2 advantage. However, Lebanon Valley was able to push across a run to send the game into extras.
During the extra innings, the Dutchmen held Behrend to just one hit. The Lions staff answered with strong pitching of their own. Jay Condit (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) pitched five innings of relief, allowing just one run with three strikeouts while scattering six hits.
In the 14th, Derek Brousseau led off the inning with a deep triple to left center. The very next batter did not waste any time with a sacrifice fly to center field to give Lebanon Valley a thrilling walk-off victory.
Ryan Geibel (East Butler, PA/Butler) led the offensive attack with three hits, including two doubles. Kragnes continued to swing a hot bat in Florida with two hits. The junior outfielder also recorded two walks and a hit by pitch. Verona, Bittner, and DiDiano had two hits apiece as well.
Behrend will be back on the diamond tomorrow. The Lions will take on No. 14 Keystone at 12 p.m.
