Baseball Opens Season With Back To Back Shutouts Against Nittany Lions

ASTON, PA- On Sunday February 23^rd, 2025, the Anna Maria College baseball team traveled to Aston, PA to take on the Nittany Lions for a doubleheader. The AMCATS won game one 2-0 and game two 8-1.

Game One: Scoreless after five innings, the AMCATS were the first on the board with a surge of runs in the top of the fifth inning. It would be Josh Batchelder who got things started for the AMCATS with a double to left field to send Matt Beuka home. That would get the first run of the game on the board and put the AMCATS in the lead. The 6^th inning would continue strong for the AMCATS with Brady Aylward who would double into center field and score Josh Batchelder to get the second run on the board for the AMCATS. The defense of the AMCATS and the pitching from all three pitchers would be powerful and would keep the Lions off the scoreboard. The AMCATS would win the game 2 to 0 against a powerful Nittany Lions team for game one. 

Owen Sullivan would help the AMCATS secure the win as the starting pitcher, pitching three innings, striking out four batters, and only giving up one hit. It would then be Conor Francesconi who would come in for relief of Owen Sullivan and get the win for the AMCATS in game one giving up only one hit and striking out one batter pitching two innings. The AMCATS would then close out the game putting in Nick Choate who would take care of business for the AMCATS striking out three batters and only allowing one hit in two innings pitched to get the save against the Lions. 

Game Two: The AMCATS surged in game two for a total of 8 runs. Jeremy Rosenberg got the scoring started in the top of the first inning with a sacrifice fly to score Matt Beuka to get the AMCATS on the board. The AMCATS would have one on and Brady Aylward up to bat who would double down the left field line and score Josh Batchelder, to add to the AMCATS lead of 2 to 0. The AMCATS would continue the strong pressure against the Lions, but the Lions did get out of the 1^st inning, but the AMCATS would set the tone and lead early 2 to 0 at the end of the first inning. The AMCATS would be strong not only up to bat but also in the field against the Lions, and starting pitcher Michael Shorey was taking down the Lions batter for batter in the game.

The AMCATS would have a surge in the third inning against the Lions, where they would break the game open, it would be Matt Beuka again to single to left field, and then advance to second on the throw that would score Andrew Dension. Josh Batchelder would be hit by a pitch, and the AMCATS would have two on and no outs against the Lions. The Lion's pitcher would throw a wild pitch, and Matt Beuka would advance to third and Josh Batchelder would advance to second base both in scoring position for the AMCATS. It would be Brady Alyward who would single to short stop and score Matt Beuka for the AMCATS 4^th run of the game. The AMCATS rally would not end there as they would score three more runs on the Lions scoring Josh Batchelder, Tommy Sasso scored; Brady Aylward and Alec Rich scored to complete the rally in the third inning to lead the Lions at the end of three 8 to 0. 

That would conclude the scoring in the game, with the AMCATS pulling out the 8 to 0 win against the Lions. The AMCATS would put on a stellular pitching performance. As Michael Shorey would be phenomenal as the starting pitcher for the AMCATS striking out 4 batters, giving up no hits, no runs and three walks, to earn the win for the AMCATS in four innings pitched. It would be Jesse Buonocore who would get the save for the AMCATS giving up one hit, striking out 6 batters in three innings pitched. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• The AMCATS would put on quite the pitching display in game two where Michael Shorey would get the start and take the mound for the AMCATS, pitching 4 innings and then Jesse Buonocore who would come in for relief for the AMCATS pitching three innings nearly throwing a no hitter against the Lions. 
• 5 AMCATS would make their NCAA debut against the Lions.  
• The AMCATS would score 10 runs in two games against the Lions. 
• The AMCATS would have 5 stolen bases in two games. 
• There would be 7 different AMCATS that would get RBIs against the Lions in two games. 

WHAT'S NEXT: 

The AMCATS will be back in action on Wednesday February 26^th where they will have their first home opener where they look to host the Falcons of Fitchburg State. Opening Pitch is set for 3:00pm. 

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