HARRISBURG, PA — In a spirited attempt to overturn an early deficit, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland baseball team closed their three-game series against Penn State Harrisburg with an 8-3 loss on Sunday. Despite showcasing moments of resilience, the Seahawks’ efforts were not enough to surmount the Nittany Lions’ robust lead, moving their season record to 2-9, while Penn State Harrisburg improved to 10-5.
The game began with the Nittany Lions establishing a solid foundation, accruing three runs over the first two innings, thereby setting a challenging pace for the Seahawks. The initial momentum for St. Mary’s came in the top of the fourth when Cole Tarleton hit a single to left-center field, marking the team’s offensive beginning.
Penn State Harrisburg further extended their lead with a two-run homer in the fifth inning, intensifying the challenge for St. Mary’s. However, the Seahawks began to mount a comeback in the sixth inning. George Berbakos and Chase O’Dell were instrumental in bringing the score to 5-2, with Berbakos hitting a double and O’Dell securing an RBI with a sacrifice fly.
Despite the Seahawks’ efforts, the Nittany Lions widened the gap with two additional runs in the seventh inning, bringing the score to 7-2. St. Mary’s responded with Trevor Smith scoring off a George Berbakos single, yet it wasn’t enough to ignite a full comeback. Penn State Harrisburg sealed their victory with another run in the seventh and held St. Mary’s scoreless in the remaining innings.
Within the box score, George Berbakos stood out with two hits and an RBI for the Seahawks. Cole Tarleton, Gavin Wathen, and Trevor Smith each contributed with hits, demonstrating the team’s persistent offense. On the mound, Ryder Chalk pitched five innings, recording four earned runs and seven strikeouts. Quinton Maris and Eli Shafer also took the mound, showcasing the depth of St. Mary’s pitching staff.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks are set to face Penn State Abington on March 22nd in St. Mary’s City, MD, offering an opportunity for the team to bounce back and regain their stride as the season progresses.
