In a day of highs and lows at the diamond, the St. Mary’s College of Maryland baseball team hosted a doubleheader against Penn State Abington, concluding with a split decision. The Seahawks, standing at 5-14 before the games, faced off against the Nittany Lions, who came in with a 9-16 record.
The first game was a rollercoaster of runs and lead changes, ultimately ending in a 13-11 loss for St. Mary’s. The Seahawks came out swinging, scoring three runs in the first inning, with contributions from Cole Tarleton and Adrian Auber. Despite their initial surge, Penn State Abington answered back, eventually overtaking the Seahawks with a six-run burst in the fourth inning. Efforts by St. Mary’s to close the gap, including a game-tying RBI from George Berbakos in the eighth, were outdone by a decisive three-run ninth inning by Abington.
Notable performances in the first game came from Trevor Smith, Derrick Booker, and Cole Tarleton, each securing two hits. Tarleton led with three RBIs, while pitcher Nick Russo managed to keep his earned runs at zero over four innings, striking out eight.
The second game painted a different picture, with the Seahawks clinching a 4-3 victory. After trailing early, St. Mary’s fought back with Aaron Wathen and Tarleton delivering crucial RBIs. Tarleton’s continued prowess at the plate was evident with a two-run double in the sixth, securing the lead for St. Mary’s. Despite a late threat from Penn State Abington, the Seahawks’ defense held strong, stranding Nittany Lions on base to seal the win.
Cole Tarleton again stood out, amassing three hits and three RBIs. Aaron Wathen also contributed significantly with two hits and an RBI. On the mound, Ryder Chalk went the distance, pitching nine innings and recording five strikeouts while surrendering three earned runs.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks aim to carry their momentum into their next game against Penn College on April 19th, set to take place in St. Mary’s City, MD, at 3:00 PM. The split decision against Penn State Abington showcases both the challenges and resilience of the St. Mary’s team as they navigate through their season.
