READING, Pa. --
Julian Cimino and
Zach Krause each drove in a run, but Penn State-Berks used a seven-run eighth inning to pull away from Albright on its way to a 12-3 victory over the Lions in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday at Kelchner Field.
Albright, which held an early 2-0 lead, saw Penn State-Berks score nine runs of the over the final two innings in a game that was halted after eight innings due to darkness.
Albright took a lead in the fourth inning on an RBI from Cimino and a Penn State-Berks throwing error.
Micah Storms led off the inning with a double to center and advanced to third when
Noah Beebe grounded out. Cimino followed with a single to left that gave the Lions a 1-0 lead.
The margin grew to 2-0 later in the inning when Cimino scored on a failed pick off at first base following a single by
Tanner Brescancine.
It took the Nittany Lions just two batters to tie the score in the top of the fifth inning. Toby Welk singled to left to open the grame and Max Edgin followed with a two-run homer to knot the score at 2-2.
Penn State-Berks then took the lead for the first time in the game in the top of the sixth inning. Cory Fox was hit by a pitch and stole second base. He moved to third base on a wild pitch and came home to score on an Albright throwing error giving the Nittany Lions a 3-2 lead.
Albright answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning. Beebe led off the inning by reaching base via a hit by pitch. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and came home two batters later when Krause singled to center tying the game at 3-3.
Penn State-Berks took advantage of two walks, two wild pitches and an error to push across two runs in the top of the seventh inning to take a 5-3 lead.
The Nittany Lions tacked on seven unearned runs in the top of the eight inning to take a commanding 12-3 lead.
Mat Costa started for the Lions and allowed only three hits and no runs while striking out one in his three innings of work.
Albright returns to action on Saturday (March 5) when it visits Stockton for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.
