Penn State DuBois senior third baseman Tyler Yough takes his lead off first base during a recent home game at Showers Field in DuBois.
DuBOIS, Pa. — As she often does during the spring sports season, Mother Nature once again forced both the baseball and softball teams at Penn State DuBois to adjust their schedules last week. However, both teams did get to compete over the weekend and now have another full week in store ahead.
With games being rescheduled, the softball team only played two games last week. The Lady Lions made the trip to visit Penn State Mont Alto on Sunday for a doubleheader that was pushed back one day because of weather conditions on Saturday. In game one of the doubleheader, DuBois faced a tough challenge, falling 8-0 to Mont Alto.
The Lady Lions struggled to find offensive momentum, managing a single hit in the contest. Audrey Walker accounted for the only hit of the game, a single in the top of the second inning. On the mound, Aleigha Geer started for DuBois, allowing five runs on four hits in the first inning. Megan Hyde came on in relief, allowing three runs on nine hits in four innings of work.
Looking to rebound in game two of the day, the Lady Lions again struggled with Mont Alto’s high-powered offense, falling in game two by a final score of 9-1. Hyde started game two on the mound, allowing six runs and nine hits in three innings of work. Allison Lininger stepped onto the mound in relief, giving up three runs on four hits.
Offensively, Lininger collected two hits and Chelsea Busatto drive in the lone RBI for DuBois. Busatto, Hyde, Audrey Walker and Makena Baney each had a hit in the contest as well.
Penn State DuBois junior pitcher and outfielder Kelsey Stuart begins her stride in the batter’s box during a recent home game at Heindl Field in DuBois.
On the baseball diamond, Penn State DuBois began its week by welcoming Houghton College to Showers Field for a doubleheader. In a closely contested game in game one, the Nittany Lions suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat.
The game remained deadlocked until the bottom of the fourth inning when DuBois managed to break the silence with a single run, courtesy of a strong offensive effort from Tylor Herzing, who blasted a solo home run. However, Houghton College quickly turned the tide in the top of the fifth inning, scoring six runs to take control of the game.
The Nittany Lions responded with a spirited effort, tallying four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and adding another run in the sixth. Despite their offensive outburst, they fell just short of completing the comeback. Tyler Yough was a standout performer for DuBois, going 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Brett Beith also contributed with a double, while Colby Bodtorf showcased his base-running prowess with two stolen bases.
On the mound, pitcher Jeff Romano delivered a solid performance, allowing no runs and striking out three batters over three innings of work. However, the bullpen struggled to contain Houghton College's offense.
The loss in game one marked the end of DuBois’ 13-game win streak.
Game two of the day turned into a slugfest as both teams combined for an astonishing 34 runs and 41 hits. However, it was Houghton College who emerged victorious, edging DuBois 18-16 in an intense showdown at Showers Field.
Houghton wasted no time asserting itself, putting up six runs in the first two innings. DuBois fought back admirably, rallying for 16 runs on 21 hits. Bryce Dobson led the charge with a stellar 3-for-4 performance at the plate, including a double and four RBIs. Braylen Corter also had a standout game, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
Despite their offensive fireworks, pitching for the Nittany Lions struggled to contain Houghton’s potent lineup. Starter Christian Hopp lasted two innings, giving up four runs on four hits, while reliever Owen Graham also faced difficulties, surrendering five runs over 2.2 innings of work.
After a few weather-related delays, the Nittany Lions got back on the field on Saturday, looking to start a new win streak. DuBois traveled to visit Penn State Greater Allegheny for a doubleheader. In a tightly contested game one at West Mifflin High School, Greater Allegheny secured a narrow 3-2 victory over DuBois. Both teams displayed solid performances on the mound and in the field.
Greater Allegheny took an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning, thanks to a timely hit from Brian Woods. They extended their lead with another run in the third inning, maintaining a 3-0 advantage.
The Nittany Lions fought back in the fifth inning, with Cory Lehman driving in a run and Tanner LaBenne adding a solo home run to cut the deficit to just one run. Despite the team's efforts, DuBois couldn't muster another run, falling just short of completing the comeback.
DuBois starter Taylor Boland also put in a solid outing, pitching six innings and allowing three runs while striking out five batters. However, it wasn't enough to secure the win for his team.
Now on a three-game losing streak, the Nittany Lions looked to rebound in game two of the day. In an offensive showcase, DuBois emerged victorious over Greater Allegheny with an 11-5 win.
The Nittany Lion offense was firing on all cylinders, with several players contributing to the team's impressive offensive output. Yough led the charge, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. LaBenne and Kyle Elensky also made significant contributions, driving in a combined five runs.
Greater Allegheny initially took the lead, scoring three runs in the fourth inning. However, DuBois responded immediately, tallying two runs in the fifth inning and adding five more in the sixth to take a commanding lead.
Pitcher Zach Tiracorda delivered a solid performance on the mound for the Nittany Lions, pitching six innings and allowing four runs while striking out four batters to earn his fourth win of the season.
Greater Allegheny struggled to contain DuBois’ potent offense, allowing 11 runs on nine hits.
On Sunday, the two teams switched places, with Greater Allegheny making the trip up to Showers Field to take on DuBois for another doubleheader. In the first game of the day, DuBois showcased its pitching prowess, shutting out Greater Allegheny for a 3-0 victory.
The game started off as a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to generate offense in the early innings. However, the Nittany Lions managed to break the deadlock in the bottom of the fourth inning when Lehman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead.
In the following inning, DuBois extended its lead with two more runs. Dobson delivered a key RBI single, driving in Yough, who reached base earlier in the inning. Elensky then added another run with an RBI single of his own, bringing the score to 3-0.
Pitcher Connor Cherry delivered a stellar performance for the Nittany Lions, pitching a complete game shutout. He allowed five hits and four walks while striking out four batters in the contest. Greater Allegheny struggled to generate offense against Cherry's dominant pitching, failing to score a run despite several scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Back on a winning streak again, DuBois looked to carry that momentum into its final game of the week in game two of the doubleheader. In a lopsided game, DuBois overwhelmed Greater Allegheny with a commanding 15-2 victory.
The Nittany Lions wasted no time asserting their dominance, scoring five runs in the first inning to set the tone for the game. They continued to pile on runs throughout the game, scoring at least one run in every inning they batted.
The offensive onslaught was led by Lehman, who contributed two hits and three runs, and Brandon Sicheri, who drove in two runs. Several other players also had standout performances, including Hayden Vaughn, who delivered a crucial RBI double, and Aaron Miller, who drove in two runs.
Pitcher Jake Sikora delivered an outstanding performance on the mound for the Nittany Lions, holding Greater Allegheny scoreless through four innings while allowing only one hit and two walks. Ezeck Ollinger came in relief and finished the game, allowing two runs on three hits in one inning of work. On the other side, Greater Allegheny struggled to contain DuBois' potent offense. Greater Allegheny's pitchers combined to surrender 15 runs on 14 hits and 10 walks.
Penn State DuBois junior pitcher Connor Cherry begins his windup to deliver a pitch home during a recent home game at Showers Field in DuBois.
Looking at the week ahead, the softball team, now sitting with a record of 6-14 on the year, will return to action today, April 8, when it hosts LaRoche University for a doubleheader at Heindl Field. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 5 p.m. The team will then travel to Penn State Fayette on Wednesday, April 10, to complete a game that was suspended earlier in the season. The game will resume in the bottom of the third inning with DuBois leading Fayette 9-1.
The Lady Lions will then have an action-packed weekend, beginning on Friday, April 12, when they travel to take on Penn State Beaver for a doubleheader. The first game will begin at 2 p.m. The team will then return home on Saturday, April 13,to host Penn State New Kensington at Heindl Field for another doubleheader. First pitch on this day is scheduled for 1 p.m. for game one. Finally, the Lady Lions will travel on Sunday, April 14, to visit Hilbert College for another set of games, with game one starting at 1 p.m.
The baseball team also will have a busy week of games this week, starting on Tuesday, April 9, when Penn State Shenango comes to DuBois for a single game at Showers field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. for the game that is scheduled to be nine innings. Then, DuBois will host Penn State New Kensington on Friday, April 12, with the first pitch being scheduled for 6:30 p.m. for game one of the doubleheader. The Nittany Lions will then return the trip, traveling to visit New Kensington on Saturday, April 13, for another doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3 p.m. Finally, DuBois will travel on Sunday, April 14, to visit Point Park University. A doubleheader is scheduled for this day as well, with game one starting at 1 p.m.
For complete athletic schedules, including any weather-related changes, visit the Penn State DuBois athletic website.
