Lycoming News

Penn College began their United East conference play with a double victory over Valley Forge on Saturday. The Wildcats claimed the first game with a decisive 15-2 win and followed it up with a narrow 12-11 victory in the second game, enhancing their record to 2-0 in the conference and 5-6 overall.

In the opening game, Penn College quickly established a lead. An error in the first inning and Jaiden Augustine's RBI single in the second gave them a 2-0 advantage. Valley Forge managed to tie the score in the third inning, but Brandon Shane's single helped regain the lead for Penn College. Additional runs were scored due to an error and Levi Purnell's sacrifice in the fourth inning, followed by five more runs each in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Jaiden Augustine and Townsend both achieved three hits, while Jaydon Goebel contributed two hits. Purnell and Goebel each finished with three RBIs. Griffin Vollman pitched for 5.2 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, securing his first win of the season.

The second game saw Valley Forge take an early lead with two runs in the first inning. However, Penn College leveled up in the second when Purnell hit his first collegiate home run and Shane added another run with a double. The Wildcats took a 5-3 lead after further contributions from Purnell and Shane.

Dallas Griess extended this lead to 6-3 before Valley Forge mounted a comeback, scoring seven runs across three innings to take an 11-7 lead. Nevertheless, Penn College responded as Purnell delivered an RBI single followed by contributions from Griess and Augustine to close within two runs at 11-9. Griess then tied it up before Augustine's walk-off double sealed their victory.

Griess ended with four hits and three RBIs; Purnell also secured three hits alongside his three RBIs. Dillon Gallagher pitched for 2.2 innings giving up two earned runs on three hits while striking out two batters to earn his first win of the season.

Penn College is scheduled to play again at Elmira on Tuesday at 3 p.m.