Offense Can't Get Going at Behrend

The Alfred State baseball team was held to just five hits and fell twice at Penn State Behrend on Saturday. The Lions won the opener 1-0 (in eight innings) and the nightcap 5-1.

AJ Gartland (Irondequoit) and Thomas Zbezinski battled in a pitcher's duel in the opener. Both pitchers traded scoreless innings until the Lions were able to win the game in the 8th. Colin Harger doubled to lead off the inning, went to third on a wild pitch, and with one out scored when Zack Bowen squeeze bunted him home.

Gartland allowed just four hits and the one earned run in 7.1 innings of work. He didn't walk a batter and struck out eight. Brody Burdett (Scottsdale, AZ), Matteo Avallone (Mahopac/Bridgton Academy), and Connor Pingitore (Amsterdam/Broadalbin Perth) each collected a single but Zbezinski kept the Pioneers off the board. He walked three and struck out 10.

The blue & gold got on board first in the nightcap. Josh Laurie (LeRoy) singled through the right side, went to second on a balk, and scored on a RBI single to right by Avallone. The two hits in the 1st innings were the only two that the Pioneers would get versus Derrick Shields. Shields didn't allow another hit the rest of the way. 

Shields got the run support he needed when the Lions scored three in the 2nd and added two more runs in the 4th. Shields finished the complete game victory with one walk and seven strikeouts.

Chris Caitoire (Brooklyn/Fort Hamilton0 was very effective out of the bullpen for Alfred State. He allowed just one hit and one walk in 2.2 innings of work while striking out four.

The Pioneers are back on the diamond on Monday when they travel to Fredonia for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.