Baseball Sweeps Christendom In Season Opener

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. – Penn State Schuylkill Baseball began the 2024 season with a sweep against USCAA opponent Christendom College.

Game One: Penn State Schuylkill 12, Christendom 2

Schuylkill got off to an early start in the first matchup as hits by Conner Licklider (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) and Owen Zimmerman (Shoemakersville, PA / Hamburg Area High School) ultimately led to a run for Licklider, giving Schuylkill an early 1-0 lead at the end of the first inning.

A single to left field by Licklider drove in runs for RayJay Marmolejos (Wyomissing, PA / Wilson High School) and Ryan Jarboe (Pottsville, PA / Blue Mountain High School). Following an unearned run by Schuylkill to give them a 4-0 lead, Brenan Adams (Pottsville, PA / Pottsville Area High School) drove in Schuylkill's fifth run of the contest, ending the third inning with a total of four hits and four runs.

Runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings for Christendom narrowed their deficit to 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth. A single by Licklider to left field on the opening play, followed by a triple by Zimmerman, extended Schuylkill's lead to 6-2. With Nate Gilbert (Shoemakersville, PA / Hamburg Area High School) positioned at second base a few plays after a run by Zimmerman, Adams doubled to left field, granting him his second RBI of the contest and giving Schuylkill a commanding 8-2 lead. A single by Ethan Naftzinger (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) and a series of stolen bases and wild pitches gave Schuylkill a total of seven runs for the inning.

Licklider finished the game with three hits, three RBIs, and two stolen bases. Naftzinger, Zimmerman, and Adams finished with two hits each while Adams drove in two runs.

Tristian Baer (Hamburg, PA / Hamburg Area High School) pitched all five innings for Schuylkill, winning his matchup and striking out seven.

Game Two: Penn State Schuylkill 7, Christendom 1

Schuylkill continued to be the aggressor in the second matchup as a single to left field by Gilbert drove in a run for Licklider during the first inning.

With Baer and Marmolejos positioned at second and third bases following singles by each, a sacrifice fly by Jarboe drove in Schuylkill's second run of the contest, giving them an early 2-0 lead heading into the third inning.

Jarboe started things off for Schuylkill during the fifth inning with a single to center field. With two outs for Schuylkill and Jarboe positioned at third base, Zimmerman would double, granting Schuylkill their third run of the contest.

With the bases cleared for Schuylkill at the bottom of the sixth inning following three runs, Licklider hit the first home run of the season, ultimately closing out the game for Schuylkill.

Licklider and Zimmerman finished with two hits and an RBI each in the win. Owen Shoop (Tower City, PA / Williams Valley) won his matchup on the mound, pitched a total of six innings, striking out six. Zimmerman pitched an inning for Schuylkill, striking out three opponents.

Schuylkill (2-0 overall, 0-0 PSUAC) will compete in a total of nine games at the Ripken Experience - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina over the course of spring break, starting with their Saturday matchup against Northampton Community College. Start time for that contest is 6:00 p.m.