Penn State DuBois baseball and softball teams get season started

DuBOIS, Pa. –  The baseball and softball teams at Penn State DuBois have begun their seasons for spring 2025. Both teams took part in spring break trips to Myrtle Beach and are now beginning to work through important games within the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

The Lady Lion softball team played seven games in Myrtle Beach. The results of those games were:

• 4-3 loss to Cairn Univeristy
• 6-1 win over Dean College
• 10-0 loss to Malone College
• 9-1 win over SUNY-Canton
• 9-0 loss to Madison College
• 20-1 win over the University of Minnesota Morris Junior Varsity
• 10-0 loss to Thiel College

After returning from Myrtle Beach with a 3-4 record, Penn State DuBois had their home opening series against Central Maine Community College cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. The Lady Lions returned to action on March 21 when they played a double header against Allegany College of Maryland, winning the first game 8-7 and winning the second game 14-6.

The Lady Lions will return to action on March 30 when they travel to face Kent State Tuscarawas away from home.

The Penn State DuBois baseball team also made the trip to Myrtle Beach during spring break, playing a total of six games. The results of those games were:

• 15-2 win over Mid-Michigan College
• 12-2 win over Terra State Community College
• 5-4 loss to Finger Lake Community College
• 4-3 win over Illinois Valley Community College
• 1-0 loss to Henry Ford College
• 6-5 loss to Mid-Michigan College

Returning home with a 3-3 record, the Nittany Lions hit the road again on March 18 to visit Grove City College for a 9-inning contest. Despite a strong showing on the mound from a deep bullpen, DuBois couldn’t capitalize offensively, falling 4-1 to Grove City at Jack Behringer Field.

The Nittany Lions managed just two hits in the game, scoring their lone run in the top of the fourth inning. Senior outfielder Bryce Dobson drove in the run on a sacrifice groundout, scoring junior catcher Grant Lillard, who had reached on a single and moved into scoring position on a walk and a fielder’s choice.

Grove City responded quickly, tying the game in the bottom of the fourth and taking the lead for good with another run in the fifth. The Wolverines added two insurance runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach. Grove City’s bullpen proved equally effective, as five pitchers combined to strike out 11 DuBois batters while allowing just two hits. Kenny Lavrich earned the win with a scoreless fifth inning, and Raymond Stierer closed out the ninth for his first save of the season.

Penn State DuBois used eight pitchers in the contest, with junior Maclain Welshans taking the loss after allowing one run on one hit and one walk in the fifth inning. Senior Connor Cherry started the game, tossing a scoreless first. Jeff Romano and Austin Mitchell followed with a pair of shutout innings.

Errors plagued Grove City, as they committed four defensive miscues, but Penn State DuBois couldn’t take advantage, leaving five runners on base. Lillard and senior shortstop Colby Bodtorf recorded the only hits for DuBois.

Following the loss, Penn State DuBois played their first home game of the season on March 20 when they hosted Central Maine Community College at Showers field. A six-run first inning set the tone for DuBois, as the Nittany Lions rolled to a 13-2 victory over Central Maine Community College.

The Nittany Lions scored in four of their six offensive frames, plating 11 runs in the first three innings alone. Eight different Nittany Lions recorded hits in the win, while 10 contributed either a run scored or an RBI. Junior second baseman Alex Gavlock led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a double. Senior outfielder Nick Cagliola added a three-RBI performance, including a sacrifice fly in the third. Junior Aaron Miller and senior Ezeck Olinger each chipped in an RBI, while Dobson drove in a run and scored twice. On the mound, Taylor Boland earned the win, working 3.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits and six walks while striking out three.  Wyatt Coakley, Christian Hopp and Hunter Rumsky combined to throw 3.1 scoreless innings of relief, striking out six and allowing just two hits.

Central Maine managed six hits in the loss, including a double from Brady Vincent. Garren Post and Zac Gorman drove in the Mustangs’ only runs, one each in the first and second innings. Starter Owen Scott took the loss for Central Maine, surrendering 11 earned runs on five hits and five walks over two innings. He also hit three batters.

Penn State DuBois looked to continue their positive momentum on March 22 when they hosted Kent State Tuscarawas for a USCAA doubleheader at Showers Field. In the first game of the day, DuBois put together an offensive showcase, piling up 18 hits in a 23-2 rout of Kent State Tuscarawas in five innings.

The Nittany Lions scored in every inning, including a nine-run second and an eight-run third, to put the game out of reach early. Every starter either reached base or scored a run, with 12 different players recording an RBI. Sophomore Jake Sikora led the way with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate, driving in four runs and smacking a double. Cole Slaugenhoup added two doubles and three RBIs, while Isaac Tiracorda went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs. In all, Penn State DuBois collected six extra-base hits and took advantage of nine walks, a hit-by-pitch, and four defensive errors by the Golden Eagles. Bodtorf and Braylen Corter also tallied two RBIs apiece, while 16 different Lions reached base.

On the mound, Cherry worked three innings to earn the win, allowing one earned run on three hits and six walks while striking out three. Romano closed the game with two efficient innings of relief, yielding one run on four hits with a pair of strikeouts.

Kent State-Tuscarawas was led by Matt Jesse and Joe Fischer, who drove in the Golden Eagles' two runs. Starting pitcher Cayden Castillo took the loss, surrendering 10 runs, eight earned, on seven hits and five walks over 1.2 innings.

Game two of the day saw much of the same for Penn State DuBois. The Nittany Lions used another strong performance to secure a 10-0 shutout win over Kent State Tuscarawas to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Pitcher Zach Tiracorda delivered a stellar start, tossing four scoreless innings while allowing just one hit, walking two and striking out nine. Zach Witherow closed the game with a perfect fifth inning, striking out the side to seal the five-inning mercy-rule victory. The Nittany Lions broke the game open in the third inning with three runs, then poured on six more in the fourth. A final run in the fifth capped the 10-run total, as Penn State DuBois made the most of six hits and nine walks while also stealing four bases.

Corter led the offense with a 2-for-2 performance, driving in four runs and ripping a double. Bodtorf added a double and two RBIs, while Dobson, Gavlock, Lillard and Kyle Elensky each knocked in one.

Kent State Tuscarawas struggled at the plate, with designated hitter Brenton Billman recording the Golden Eagles' lone hit. As a team, they struck out 12 times and managed just one baserunner past first. Joe Fischer took the loss on the mound for Tuscarawas, allowing six runs on three hits and six walks over three innings. He was relieved by Billman, who surrendered four more runs in one inning of work.

Penn State DuBois returns to action this week when they face Penn State Shenango in a home and home series on March 28 and 29. DuBois will travel to visit Shenango on Friday, and the two teams will face each other again at Showers Field on Saturday. The teams will play doubleheaders on both days.

For complete athletic schedules, including any weather-related changes, visit the Penn State DuBois athletic website.