Lions Defeat Thiel in Non-Conference Meeting

GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend baseball team defeated Thiel in a non-conference matchup on Monday afternoon, winning 9-1. 

The Lions (24-14) got to scoring in the third inning and kept it rolling until the sixth, picking up eight runs in those four innings to lift them over the Tomcats (15-22).

David Boehme (Venetia, PA/Seton-La Salle) led the charge for Behrend going 3-for-5 from the plate with a game-high three RBIs.

Justin Foreman (Oakdale, PA/South Fayette) and Ian Taylor (Wexford, PA/Vincentian Academy) both registered two RBIs and a double in the contest. Freshman infielder Braden Paulinellie (DuBois, PA/DuBois) batted a perfect 3-for-3 while also scoring twice. 

Scott Sada (Saegertown, PA/Saegertown) extended his hitting streak to 15 consecutive games after reaching base from a bunt.

Brandon Smail (Apollo, PA/Kiski Area) got the win on the mound for Behrend. He tossed two innings on the bump, giving up two hits and striking out a game-high six batters. 

In the third inning, Mason McGuire (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair) got the Lions on the board from a single through the left side to score Holden Stevanus (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep), who reached base from a single and advanced to second off of a John Brittner (Zelienople, PA/Seneca Valley) walk.

As the game went on, Behrend added one in the fourth, two in the fifth, and four in the sixth inning. 

In the sixth, Boehme smacked a bases-clearing double to left center that drove in three runs. After a Paulinellie single up the middle, Taylor stepped up and hit a single to right field that sent Boehme in for another run, making the score 8-0 after six.

Both the Lions and Tomcats added a run in the eighth inning, ending the final score 9-1. 

The Lions are back in action for a non-conference game against Bethany. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.