Lions End Myrtle Beach Trip with Extra-Inning Win

Penn State Schuylkill wrapped up its final game of the Myrtle Beach trip with an offensive slugfest, outlasting Quinsigamond Community College 14–11 in 10 innings Saturday morning at the Ripken Experience.

The Lions struck first in the opening inning when Joey Ruggiero delivered an RBI single to bring home Roman Cieless. Quinsigamond responded with two runs in the bottom half before Schuylkill answered again in the second as Andrew Klotz lined a single to center to score Brandon Pupek, tying the game.

After Quinsigamond surged ahead with four runs in the second inning, Schuylkill chipped away and kept the pressure on offensively. Yostin Guerrero Solano sparked the rally in the third with an RBI double to right field.

The Lions exploded again in the fifth inning, taking advantage of wild pitches, passed balls, and aggressive baserunning to plate four runs and regain momentum in the back-and-forth contest.

Quinsigamond answered with a four-run inning of its own to keep the game tight, but Schuylkill continued to respond. In the sixth inning, Dan Zimmerman ripped a triple to left field to score Ruggiero, and moments later Guerrero Solano launched a two-run home run to right field to give the Lions another lead.

Guerrero Solano delivered one of the biggest performances of the day, finishing 3-for-5 with a double, home run, four RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to power the offense. Ruggiero also had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two walks, while Klotz added two hits and an RBI. Zimmerman chipped in two hits including a triple and an RBI, and Pupek reached base three times while scoring twice.

Quinsigamond tied the game again in the eighth to force extra innings, setting up a dramatic finish.

In the 10th inning, Schuylkill capitalized on chaos on the bases. Guerrero walked to start the rally and the Lions took advantage of multiple passed balls and wild pitches to push across three crucial runs, with Guerrero, Pupek, and Klotz all scoring to give Schuylkill a 14–11 lead.

On the mound, the Lions used a bullpen effort before Aidan Barner shut the door in relief. Barner worked the final four innings, allowing just one run while striking out four, earning the victory and closing out the game in the bottom of the 10th.

Penn State Schuylkill finishes the spring break trip with momentum and returns to Pennsylvania at 7–5 overall on the season. The Lions will look for warmer temperatures back home as they prepare for a busy stretch with six games scheduled in the upcoming week.