Wildcats Clinch Playoff Spot with Sweep of PSU Wilkes Barre

 WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Senior Garrett Hornung (Emporium) racked up there hits including a grand slam and eight RBI to lead the Pennsylvania College of Technology baseball team in its sweep of Penn State Wilkes Barre Saturday.  The Wildcats ended both games early with scores of 15-4 and 16-1.  The wins improve the team to 22-9 overall and 13-3 in the Penn State University Athletic Conference and clinches a playoff berth.  

In the opener, Penn College put two on the board in the first including an RBI double from Hornung.  A shaky second that saw the defense commit three errors allowed Wilkes Barre to take a 3-2 lead.

Freshman Cody Buterbaugh (Conestoga) put the Wildcats back on top in the bottom of the inning with an RBI triple that turned into another run when he scored on a bobbled ball.  Senior Skylar Gingrich (Lititz) also hit an RBI double putting the Wildcats up 6-3.  

Hornung added some insurance runs in the third with a two-run shot over the right field fence.  He then followed it up with grand slam, same spot, in the fourth capping off a five-run inning and making it 15-4.  Starter Brian Santangelo (Middletown, Conn.) closed out the fifth, ending the game early.  He gave up one earned run with four strikeouts in the outing recording the victory.

 Horning finished the game 3-4 with two homeruns and eight RBI.  Also for Penn College, freshman Zachary Buterbaugh was 3-3 with three runs while freshman Craig Watson (McEwensville) had two hits with a run.  

An error in the first inning of game two allowed Wilkes Barre the 1-0 lead in the first.  Gingrich quickly erased the run with a triple for two RBI in the bottom.  Both Watson and sophomore Matt King (Southampton) each notched an RBI making it 4-1.

The Wildcats broke it open in the second with an eight run surge.  Senior Thomas Hughes (Easton) and freshman Zachary Weil (Kutztown) each had bases clearing triples.  They added four more insurance runs in the third including a two-RBI single from freshman Jason Stewart (Latrobe) making it 16-1.

Freshman starter Zachary Yetter (Thompsontown) went five innings with two strikeouts and five hits.  Also for Penn College, Hughes was 2-3 with three RBI and two runs while Gingrich had two hits and two RBI.  

 Next up, the Wildcats travel to Penn State Brandywine on Tuesday, Apr. 24 for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.  A sweep of the Lions would guarantee a #2 seed for the tournament.