SeaWolves Out Run Nittany Lions

PALMYRA, Penn.—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) baseball team took both from the Nittany Lions of Penn State University Hazleton to open the 2019 season on Thursday, Mar. 14.

Game 1: W, 11-7 | BOX

The SeaWolves came out swinging in their first hacks of the spring posting five runs in the first inning and three more in the second to get ahead 8-0. Senior Caleb Burpee (Kennebunk, Maine) drove in junior Cody Bryant (Somersworth, N.H.) who led off the third with a double to left, before Hazleton answered with a run in the bottom half.

The Lions would chip away with runs in each of the final five innings, but SMCC was helped with RBIs delivered by captains Sean Adams (Lebanon, Maine) and Dylan Francoeur (Westbrook, Maine) in the fifth and sixth innings to keep a safe distance.

Sophomore Kaleb Pepin (North Conway, N.H.) swung the big stick collecting two hits and three RBI; captain Peter Stauber (Cumberland, Maine) went 1-3 and scored three runs. Francoeur picked up the win recording seven strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work. Hazleton's Dominic Yannuzzi suffered the loss.

Game 2: W, 26-0 (5 innings)| BOX

Everyone contributed to a potent SMCC offense that scored three or more runs in each frame of a five-inning ballgame. The SeaWolves collected 15 hits backed by a masterful performance from RHP Alexander Schepis (Waterboro, Maine). Schepis allowed just four hits and one walk in a complete game shutout.

Francoeur, first-year Junior Nunez (Boston, Mass.), and sophomore captain Ian Westphal (Portland, Maine) all collected four RBIs; first-year Steven Ross (Quincy, Mass.) recorded his first collegiate hit going 2-3 from the dish adding two runs and three RBI.

Hazleton's Scott Shamany was taxed the loss.

SMCC improves to 12-4 overall and will wrap up its Pennsylvania trip with two more against Penn State University Wilkes-Barre Friday, Mar. 15 at 2:30 and 5:00 p.m.

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