Knights drop both games of a doubleheader, fall to 8-9 overall
By Paul Miller
Knightly News Co-Adviser
The Central Penn Knights baseball team fell in both games of a doubleheader to Bucks County Community College, 13-1 and 5-0, on Friday at In the Net Sports Complex in Palmyra.
The Knights struggled to get the bats goings in these contests, mustering a total of five hits across both games.
Game 1
The first game of the doubleheader was much closer than the score indicated, as the Knights kept within striking distance throughout the first four innings, trailing only 4-0 entering the fifth inning. It was in the fifth and seventh innings that Bucks County busted the game wide open, scoring five runs in the fifth and four runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.
The story of the game was Bucks County starting pitcher Brian Williams, who allowed no runs in five innings of work, striking out three. It was truly his velocity that was the star, topping out at 88 mph on the team’s radar gun during his start.
In the fifth inning, pitcher Matthew Richard got two of the first three batters out but walked Kayden Everett and Alex Dicus in consecutive at-bats with the bases loaded on borderline calls by the umpire. Brian Comer cleared the bases with a double that got caught in a wind gust and landed just inside the left-field foul pole. This put the first game out of the reach for the Knights.
Starting pitcher for the Knights Colton Zerby gave a valiant effort, allowing four runs in three innings of work. Offensively, the lone bright spot was Adam Hoover, reaching base all three times he came to the plate and adding a hard-hit double down the left-field line in the second inning.
For Bucks County Community College, the offensive stars were Comer (3-for-4, 3 runs, 3 RBIs) and Cory DiMario (2-for-3, 1 run, 3 RBIs, 2 doubles).
Game 2
The second game of the doubleheader was more evenly matched, though the Knights could not get their offense going and were shut out, dropping the game 5-0.
Tied going into the fourth, two wild pitches from Zach Boyer allowed two runs to score, as well as an untimely error from shortstop Matthew Ricard that allowed another run to score. In total, Bucks County plated four runs in the fourth inning and never looked back.
Starting pitcher for Bucks County Community College Jesse Bitzer was in control during his four innings of work, not allowing a run and striking out five. Offensively, Brian Comer went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs and Marc Garcia went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
For the Knights, Hunter Finkey went 1-for-1 with a walk and a stolen base. During Game 2, the Knights never brought more than five men to the plate in a single inning and only one runner made it to third base. Zach Boyer pitched well in a losing effort, going four innings and striking out seven.
With the loss of the doubleheader, the Knights fall to 8-9 on the season, while Bucks County Community College improves to 16-14.
The Knights still have 11 games remaining on the 2022 schedule, including two more home dates on April 22 at FNB Field and April 26 at In the Net Sports Complex.
The doubleheader on April 22 is the final game of the season at FNB Field and is labeled as “Community Night” for the team. Admission is free, but it is requested that you get a ticket here.
The Knightly News Media Club livestreamed both games of the doubleheader, with commentary provided by Knightly News Co-Adviser Paul Miller. Check out the links on-demand below.
