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Nittany Lions drop two in home opener
March 2, 2008 (Reading, PA) – The men’s baseball team dropped two non-conference games to Mt. Aloysius College in their home opener on Sunday.
The men took were defeated in game one managing just six hits off Mt. Aloysius sidearm pitcher Durrell Hutzell-Ellis. Brad Swavely (Sophomore/Reading) started on the mound in game one and allowed four runs on six hits. The Mounties struck early scoring two runs in the first inning and adding a run in the third and fourth. Berks found themselves down four going into the bottom of the fourth before putting together a three run inning of their own.
Kyle Svenkeson (Sophomore/Perkiomen Valley) opened up the inning with a walk followed by a Dan Faith (Freshman/Buena Regional) single to center. Anthony Furillo (Freshman/Holy Name) was able to advance the runners into scoring position and Berks capitalized. Dan Skawski (Freshman/Emmaus), Pat Griffin (Junior/Council Rock North) and Tyler Fleischut (Sophomore/C.B. West) all put the ball in play to knock in runs.
After a strong offensive inning Berks looked to their bullpen to keep the game close but gave up five runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach and fell by a score of 13-3.
Game two saw strong pitching from both teams but found Berks striking first with a run in the bottom of the third. Tyler Fleischut led of the third inning with a single into left field and advanced to second on a Brian Reynolds (Sophomore/Pottsgrove) grounder back to the pitcher. Josh Tiuchty (Senior/Northampton) then found a hold in right field to knock in the first run of the game.
The Mounties were able to take a 2-1 lead putting up a run in both the fourth and fifth inning. Berks had one last chance in the bottom of the sixth with two outs and runners on first and third. Aaron Klaptosky (Sophomore/Pottsgrove) came in to pinch hit and after a long foul ball into right field he grounded into a fielders choice and Berks would not threaten again.
Penn State Berks will be back in action on Monday when they travel to Gallaudet University for a single game before heading to Myrtle Beach for spring break. The men will return home on Sunday March 16th when they host SUNY IT in a doubleheader starting at 1pm.
Penn State Berks Awaits New Beginning
February 25, 2008 – Reading, PA. Penn State Berks heads into the 2008 campaign with a new coaching staff and an anticipation of a new beginning. First year Head Coach Steve Hart will look to build off the 2007 NEAC playoff berth and establish his own winning tradition. The Nittany Lions will add a hard working freshman class to a solid core of returning players and look to challenge for a NEAC Championship. “Our returning players have shown strong leadership that the newcomers are feeding off of” stated Coach Hart.
Kyle Svenkenson (Sophomore/Perkiomen Valley) will lead the pitching staff with a strong desire to have the ball in his hand. Lefties Brad Swavely (Sophomore/Reading) and Chris Hendricks (Senior/William Allen) will provide some experience and maturity to the rotation. Swavely is coming off a strong freshman campaign and has shown a great deal of potential while Hendricks is looked to for his experience in the rotation. Freshmen Chad McGee (Cumberland Valley) and Jessel Elliott (Nazareth) will be adding depth and serve the rotation in both starter and relief roles. Justin Williams (Sophomore/Daniel Boone), Chris Brenner (Sophomore/Schuylkill Valley) and Tim Wasser (Freshman/Muhlenberg) will add a local flair and make an immediate impact on the pitching staff. Tyler Fleischut (Sophomore/C.B. West) is coming off a strong freshman campaign and will be looked to in both a starting role and as the teams closer. “The pitching staff will need to maintain consistency and come out with an aggressive mindset each time they are handed the ball” said assistant coach Phil Raccuglia.
One position that Berks feels very comfortable with is behind the plate. Aaron Klaptosky (Sophomore/Pottsgrove), Ken Bedi (Freshman/Nazareth) and Joe Graf (Junior/Riverside) all display good defensive skills as well as a strong baseball IQ. Hart is comfortable with all three players handling the pitching staff.
The infield although will be one of the youngest in the NEAC show a great deal of promise and confidence. First base will be tag teamed by a freshman duo Dan Skawski (Emmaus) and Eufemio Infante (Fort Lee). Stabilizing the right side of the infield will be Pat Griffin (Junior/Council Rock North) who provides experience with slick fielding freshman Tyler Rhodes (Athens) looking to split time at second base. Shortstop will be manned by Tyler Fleischut who will look to have a breakout season for Berks. When Fleischut takes the hill Brian Reynolds (Freshman/Pottsgrove) and Michael Butz (Freshman/Parkland) will compete for playing time at short. Third base will be handled most of the time by Kyle Svenkenson while Scott Seiple (Freshman/Methacton) and Brian Reynolds will play an important role when Svenkenson is on the mound. “If we play defense like we are capable, we will keep ourselves in a lot of games” said assistant coach Ron Schaeffer.
The outfield will be led by returning NEAC Second Team All-Conference senior Josh Tiuchty (Northampton) who will look to end his college career on a high note. Dan Faith (Freshman/Buena Regional) will open up the season in right field while Adam Maurer (Freshman/Warren Hills) and Anthony Furillo (Freshman/Holy Name) will battle for time in left. Freshman J.J. Booth (Perkiomen Valley) and Brandon Miller (Freshman/Cocalico) continue to impress the coaching staff and will look to crack the starting lineup in 2008. “We have a very fast, high energy outfield core” stated Coach Hart. “Any of them could find themselves in the lineup on any given day.”
Penn State Berks baseball has a nice mix of experience and a talented group of freshman that should provide excitement through the 2008 season. If the team comes together, the Nittany Lions will find themselves in the thick of the NEAC race. The coaching staff and players look at this season as a challenge but a challenge they are eagerly ready to start.
