For the Golden Eagles baseball team, an abrupt end to the season and a one-run loss at Penn State Fayette was a microcosm of what happened to this team during their return to the diamond in 2023.
In the last four games of the season the Eagles scored 40 runs, yet they suffered two one-run losses and only picked up one win---a monumental 13-12 comeback victory after trailing 12-2 to the same Lions team that turned the tables on them last night in a 11-10 navy and gold loss.
Despite having 12 games cancelled---three of them while in transit to Fayette---the Eagles remained competitive as they showed PSF with three rallies in a very exciting game that saw the teams combine for 27 hits. KSU Tusc belted out 13 of those safeties but stranded nine baserunners while also stealing three bases.
They took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Steve Michniak singled, stole second and scored on a fielding error. The margin didn't last long as the Lions tied the game in the home half of the inning which could have been much worse for the Eagles who cut down a runner at the plate and picked off a runner at second to end the inning with the bases loaded.
The game Eagles responded with a run in the third on a Cole Lancaster sacrifice fly after Charlie Drumm singled, took second on a bunt single by Caleb Campbell and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt as the Eagles took a 2-1 advantage.
Penn State Fayette tallied twice in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-2 lead on the strength of a two-run triple and a KSU Tusc fielding error.
In the fifth inning Drumm singled but was caught stealing for the first out. Campbell followed with a walk and after a fly out moved to second on a wild pitch. Then the Eagles found some two-out lightning as Lancaster hit a two-run homer deep into the night to leftfield and the game was tied 4-4.
Still in the fifth, Michniak singled and took second as Evan Klar reached safely on a Lions fielding error. Brandon Troyer singled up the middle to score Michniak as Klar headed to third base. Blake Alexander reached on an error that allowed Klar to cross the plate, but the rally stalled when Troyer was caught off third base and tagged out as he tried to make it home. Ah, what could have been.
With the Eagles leading 6-4 the Lions tied the game again in their half of the inning on a two-run double. Another extra base hit put runners at second and third before the Eagles threw out another PSF runner at the plate after a batter was retired on a fly ball out.
After both teams stranded runners in scoring position in the sixth, the Eagles scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take a 10-6 lead. They loaded the bases as Michniak led off with a single, and Klar reached safely on a fielder's choice followed by an infield single by Troyer. Klar scored on an Alexander sacrifice fly and with outs lightning struck again.
Drumm reached on an infield error and on some heads up baserunning advanced to third while Klar and Troyer both came around to score. Campbell them smacked a double into right field that plated Drumm as Campbell advanced to third where he was left stranded.
The Lions roared back with three runs in the bottom of the seventh after a lead off double and single. A fielders choice scored a run and a Fayette batter was hit-by-pitch to load the bases. A Golden Eagles fielding error allowed another run. A second Lions batter was plunked by pitch to force a third runner home before the side was retired with the Eagles clinging to a 10-9 lead.
Kent State Tusc went down quietly in the top of the ninth setting the table for a dramatic ending to the game. The Lions loaded the bases with one-out via two walks and single. A popout to Campbell at second made the second out, but the next batter was walked to force in the tying run with the bases still loaded. The next batter singled thru the infield for the game winning run and an 11-10 defeat for the Eagles.
For the Eagles who finish their season at 2-7, four players had multi-hit games led by Campbell who was 4/5 at the plate. Michniak was 3/4 with three runs scored, while Troyer and Drumm both had two hits apiece. Lancaster belted a two-run homer and had three RBIs.
Brandon Troyer makes a backhand stab at a ground ball.
Charlie Drumm gets safely back to the first base bag.
Cooper Dailey bunts to move Golden Eagles runners into scoring position.
(Photos by Rob Brindley)