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No. 18 Lock Haven University Baseball splits doubleheader with Golden Bears

Senior INF Cayden Stover (14) of Lock Haven University throws the ball to first base for an out for the opposing team. (Photo courtesy of LHU Baseball)

LOCK HAVEN — After splitting a pair of games with arch-rival PSAC foe Kutztown on the road Saturday, the Lock Haven University baseball team was hoping for a sweep of the Golden Bears Sunday afternoon at chilly Watkins Field.

Unfortunately for LHU, the sweep wasn’t to happen as after taking the opener by a 3-1 final, the Golden Bears came out on top in the nightcap by the final of 5-3.

“I thought we played well the whole series,” said LHU head coach Heath “Smokey” Stover. “The pitchers threw well and they were really sharp. When they were faced with runners in scoring position, they were able to get out of it. That is what kept most of our games close in this series. We also played well defensively, but if you throw one away at the wrong time, it hurts a little bit, but honestly that shouldn’t have been a factor in the game because we left a lot of runners on the basepaths in scoring position. One of the defining moments in any game is when you get runners on second and third with less than two outs, you have to find a way to score a run and we weren’t able to do that on several occasions.

Although it took some timely hitting to score the three runs in the opener, the name of the game was pitching and Avery Eddy took care of that matter in outstanding fashion. For the game, Eddy worked six innings, allowing one unearned run while scattering five hits, walking just one and striking out eight.

“It wasn’t the best weather, but it was fun pitching today,” said Eddy. “We came out, battled and were able to bring it. I stayed positive through the whole game, kept hitting my spots and ground balls. When that happens, it makes getting through a game rather smooth.”

Eddy pointed out that his pitch selection was different with starting catcher Max Joseph before an injury sidelined him and Brady Chappell came on to finish the game.

“The first catcher who started was Max and we threw more curveballs,” explained Eddy. “When he (Joseph) messed up his hand and Chapp came, we threw mostly sliders. It was cold out there, but it is always good to get a win.”

Stover liked what the former Hughesville Spartan was able to give the team in his strong effort.

“Avery was just lights out today,” said Stover. “He was locating his secondary pitches, change-up and slider, really well and when you have that many different pitches working for you, you are probably going to have a good day on the mound and he certainly had that.”

With the game tied at 1-all in the opener, Justin Sleigh singled, move up on a wild pitch and scored the go-ahead run on a RBI single by Keyshawn D’Orso. In the sixth, it was again D’Orso who carried the big bat when he followed Nick Stotler’s single with an RBI double to left to set the final.

As he has done many times for the Bald Eagles, Breton LaRose came on in relief of Eddy to keep the Golden Bears’ bats silent, adding to his record total with the save.

In the nightcap, LHU led by a 3-2 spread, but the Golden Bears erupted for three runs in the fifth to go on top 5-3, the eventual final.

Despite coming on the short end of the final score, D’Orso kept his hot bat smoking by belting a home run, while Cayden Stover and Nick Stotler each came up with a pair of hits. Stover was also credited with an RBI.

At press time, the Bald Eagles are still slated to host Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Tuesday, April 10. First pitch for that twinbill at Watkins Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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