Brandywine Plays To Twin Bill Split With Berks

RADNOR, Pa. – Penn State Brandywine and Penn State Berks split a non-conference baseball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. Brandywine used a pair of big offensive innings to win the opener 11-9, but saw its six-game winning streak come to a close in game two as Berks claimed a 3-2 triumph.

Game One: Penn State Brandywine 11, Penn State Berks 9

Brandywine scored six times in the second inning and added five more runs in the fourth before needing to hold on for the 11-9 victory.

The Lions overcame a 6-0 deficit by answering Berks' six-run top of the second inning with a six spot of their own during the bottom half of the frame.

Luke DeVita (Howell, N.J./Howell) got the Lions on the board with a sacrifice fly. Ryan Snyder (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) and Ryan Brown (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) followed with back-to-back run-scoring singles, while Jamey Massung (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola) worked a bases-loaded walk to force in a run. Ivano Romaniello (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) tied the count with a two-out, two-run single through the right side of the infield.

Two innings later, Brandywine loaded the bases with two outs for Jason Hankins (Chichester, Pa./Chichester), who lined a go-ahead single to left field. David Kursman (Pennsauken, N.J./Pennsauken) followed with the biggest blow of the game, a grand slam to center field as Brandywine opened up an 11-6 lead. Kursman's slam was the first for the Lions since 2021.

Brandywine had to hang on as Berks plated a run in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh to bring the count to 11-9. The visitors had a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs, but Noah Walker (Bremen, Ga./Bremen) got a flyout to end the game.

Brown, Snyder, Hankins and Romaniello all tallied two hits for the Lions. Brown, Hankins and Kursman each crossed home twice, while Snyder and Brown both stole a pair of bases.

Nick Gordon (Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley) pitched 4.0 innings in relief to earn his team-high fourth win of the spring. He struck out three, while limiting Berks to one run on three hits.

Game Two: Penn State Berks 3, Penn State Brandywine 2

Brandywine had a late rally fall short as the Lions' six-game winning streak ended with a 3-2 setback in game two.

Luke Whelan blanked Brandywine for five innings before Hankins drove in Daniel Horowitz (Mechanicsville, Va./Atlee) with a double to tie the score at 1-1 in the sixth.

Berks scored two runs on two hits during the top of the seventh to retake the lead, but Brandywine rallied with two outs during the bottom of the frame.

Mason Coursey (Chadds Ford, Pa./Unionville) walked with the bases loaded to force in the Lions' second run, but Justin Fabbricattore came out of the bullpen to retire the only batter he faced to preserve the victory for Berks.

Snyder recorded a pair of hits and stole a base, while Hankins went 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Nate Romberger (Collegeville, Pa./Perkiomen School) recorded four strikeouts and allowed two runs on four hits in 4.0 innings in relief of Gianni Serenelli (Levittown, Pa./Conwell-Egan Catholic), but took the loss. Serenelli yielded one run and struck out two in three innings of work.

Brandywine (11-11, 3-2 UEC) returns to conference play on Tuesday when the Lions host Valley Forge at 3:00 PM.