Errors Doom Penn State Hazleton; Fall 16-6 in DH Opener vs. Williamson College

Penn State Hazleton Pitcher Charles Karchner thought he had worked out of a jam yesterday in the second inning of the opening game of their double header against Williamson College.  After and error, an infield hit, and another error had loaded the bases, Karchner proceeded to strike out the next two batters.  What happened next set the tone for the rest of the day for the visiting Nittany Lions. A swinging bunt bouncing off the plate was easliy fielded by the Lions catcher, but the throw bounced off of the runner and went into foul territory allowing two runners to score. Two walks, a single, another error and a double all allowed 8 runs total to score in the inning after the two outs were recorded.  The early deficit was too much for Hazleton to recover from and they fell in the opener 16-6 when the mercy rule took effect in the bottom of the 5th inning. 

Hazleton fought back, scoring 5 runs in the 4th inning.  Tanner Lawrence and Adam Michalesko drew back to back walks; but Lawrence was erased at third on a fielders choice by Dominic Yannuzzi. James Brielmeier then walked to load the bases and Michalesko scored on a Colin Stauffer fielders choice.  A Jordy Tejeda single plated Yannuzzi and Tim Kindler walked to once agian jam the bags for Hazleton.  Wilson Guarnera then got plunked, scoring Brielmeirer and Karchner then got into the book driving a double to dead center scoring Tejeda and Kindler.  With that, Williamson starter Jamees Muscarella was chased in favor of Robert Jones. Jones ended the threat by strking out Lawrence and stranding Karchner at second. After four, Hazleton only trailed 8-4.

They would get on the board again in the 5th when Michalesko worked a walk off Jones and promptly stole second.  After striking out the next two batters, Stauffer lined a single to left scoring Michalesko. Once again, Jones would retire the next batter with a K and strand Stauffer.

Williamson would tack on runs in the 3rd and the 4th, but would explode for 6 runs in the 5th.  After issuing a leadoff walk and a single, Karchner would be lifted in favor of Yannuzzi.  Two singles, a SAC fly, two more errors and four walks would make the score 16-6 and end the game under the ten-run mercy rule. 

Karchner took the loss on the day giving up 12 runs with only 4 being earned while giving up 7 hits and 4 walks while striking out 3. Yannuzzi did not record an out while giving up 4 runs, only 2 earned and gave up 2 hits, 5 walks and strking out none.  Karchner had the big hit of the game for Hazleton banging out a two RBI double while Kindler, Stauffer and Tejeda all added singles. 

The loss dropped the Lions to 0-6 over with no conference games played yet.  The second game of the double header is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM.