Ruggiero’s Three-Run Homer Highlights Lions Effort Against La Roche

Penn State Schuylkill battled back after an early deficit, but La Roche used a four-run second inning and added timely offense later in the game to pull away for a 12-5 win.

After a scoreless first inning, La Roche broke through in the second with four runs, taking advantage of extra opportunities before adding three more in the third to move in front 7-0.

The Lions got on the board in the fourth inning when Shawn Pallay singled and later scored on an RBI single from Hayden Lee to cut into the deficit. Schuylkill made its biggest push in the fifth. Andrew Klotz and Conner Licklider reached base ahead of Joey Ruggiero, who launched a three-run home run to left field to bring the Lions within 7-4.

La Roche answered in the sixth with another big inning, using a four-run frame capped by a grand swing from Chase Sankovich to stretch the lead back out. Schuylkill added one more in the seventh when Licklider singled, Pallay followed with a hit, and Dan Zimmerman brought a run home with a sacrifice fly.

Pallay paced the Lions with a 2-for-4 day at the plate, while Ruggiero finished with three RBI on his home run. Licklider scored twice and reached base three times, and Lee added an RBI hit in the loss.

On the mound, Blake Deiter provided a solid effort in relief, striking out four batters over 1.2 innings, while Zach Holland tossed a scoreless final inning.

Highlights:

Joey Ruggiero: 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, run scored

Shawn Pallay: 2-for-4, run scored

Conner Licklider: 1-for-2, 2 walks, 2 runs

Hayden Lee: 1-for-4, RBI

Blake Deiter: 1.2 IP, 4 strikeouts, 1 unearned run

Zach Holland: 1.0 scoreless inning

Next game:

Schuylkill returns for two more games in Myrtle Beach, tomorrow, March 13th and 1pm and 6pm.