Solid Red Devil Pitching Silence the PSU Mont Alto Bats

By: Frank Maira, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information Director

Mont Alto, Pa. - The Penn State Mont Alto baseball team continued its non-conference schedule on Thursday afternoon as it hosted NCAA Division III opponent Dickinson College. The visiting Red Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning and never looked back as they picked up a 13-1 decision over PSU Mont Alto.

Dickinson's Max Matilsky opened the game with a double through the left side and scored one batter later when Nick Sacoman grounded into a fielders choice. The Devils pushed across another run within the inning on a fielding error by Penn State Mont Alto.

The Devils made it 3-0 in the top of the second inning before three more runs scored in the third. Ben Carter had an RBI single through the left side and Adam Quine hit a scorcher right back up the middle as both Alex Jacobson and Carter scored to give Dickinson the 6-0 lead. 

Penn State Mont Alto starting pitcher William LaRussa (1-2) held the Devils lineup scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, but struggled to get out of the sixth inning and was relieved by Cole Bower. LaRussa gave up 11 runs (10 earned) on nine hits, struck out three and conceded five walks.

The Lions broke up the shutout in the bottom of the seventh. Tyler Martin led off the inning with a walk and later stole second for his third stolen base of the season.  Martin advanced to third base on a dropped third strike and scored on a passed ball.

Dickinson added runs in the seventh and eighth innings that gave them the final margin of victory.

Opposing starting pitcher Ben Rappaport carried a no-hitter until the eighth inning, but Colby Black broke it up. Black's base knock represented the Lions lone hit of the afternoon.

Penn State Mont Alto opens PSUAC play on Saturday, March 25 when it hosts Penn State Fayette for a doubleheader. Game times are slated for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.