There was no shortage of on-field action for Pennsylvania College of Technology athletes over the past week and, this week, the men’s and women’s tennis teams also step into the mix.
ON THE HORIZON
Men’s/women’s tennis
The potential is great, but hard work and team development are needed for success, fifth-year coach Jessica Bower said of her men’s and women’s teams that are scheduled to open their spring seasons on Saturday at Clarks Summit University.
“This is a group of you men and women who have great growth potential. They take feedback and incorporate it into their play. Everyone needs to come out with a winning attitude,” Bower said.
During a weather-abbreviated fall season, the Penn College men posted a 1-1 record with sophomore Paul Langbein, of Carnegie, at No. 1 singles; freshman Kyle Shuler, of Williamsport, at No. 2 singles; senior Jesse Kight, of Williamsport, at No. 3 singles; senior Zach Burkhart, of Milton, at No. 4 singles; freshman Logan Ogden, of South Williamsport, at No. 5 singles; and freshman Ian Dayhoff, of Muncy, at No. 6 singles.
In doubles, Langbein-Shuler competed at No. 1, Kight-Ogden were at No. 2 and Dayhoff and either freshman Dylan Ceprish, of Shermans Dale, or freshman Ethan Hileman, of Altoona, were at No. 3.
Also joining the men’s squad this spring is freshman Connor McLean, of Muncy.
The women’s team is coming off an 0-3 fall when freshman Ellen Buckley, of Binghamton, New York, started at No. 1 singles; freshman Lauren Peck, of South Williamsport, was at No. 2 singles; junior Georgia Macensky, of Wellsboro, was at No. 3 singles; and senior Hannah Burnett, of Middlebury Center, and junior Kassidi Lenhart, of Muncy, split time between Nos. 4 and 5.
Buckley-Peck saw action at No. 1 doubles, while Burnett-Macensky played at No. 2.
Bower looks to fill out her women’s roster with two yet-to-be-named members of the women’s soccer team.
“We will get into the meat of our practices after Spring Break (this week), but we have a short turnaround,” Bower said, adding, “I’m working with the team so that we can be in the top half of the pack for both men and women (in the United East Conference). It’s a starting point.”
Last season, the men went 6-7 overall and 1-4 in the United East, while the women were 3-11 overall and also finished 1-4 in the conference.
FLASHBACK
Baseball
At The Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, last Sunday through Thursday, Penn College went 4-4 as it continued preparing for its United East opener on Friday.
On Sunday against Hilbert College, the Wildcats split, winning 4-2 and then losing 5-4. In the first game, a two-run single by Brian Robison, of Quakertown, highlighted a three-run second inning and pitcher Chance Webb, of Hughesville, got the mound win, striking out five in five innings of work.
In the nightcap, Penn College led 4-0 after five innings, with two of the runs scoring on a two-run single by Kevin Cute, of Glenside, in the fourth, before Hilbert scored four runs in the fifth and added one in the seventh for its win. Wildcats starter Justin Porter, of Fairless Hills, went five innings, allowing just two hits, no runs and fanning seven.
On Monday against Rivier University, Penn College used a nine-run fourth inning – highlighted by a two-run double by Nate Gustkey, of Philipsburg, and a two-run single by Tyler Rudolph, of Hemlock, New York, en route to an 18-6 win. Rudolph and Cameron Dick, of Dillsburg, both had three hits with Rudolph and Shane Price, of Kersey, each plating three runs – two of Price’s on a homer. Wildcats’ starting pitcher Cole Culver, of Titusville, went four scoreless innings, fanning eight, and Keegan Nytz, of Allentown, the second of three relievers, picked up the mound win.
Facing La Roche University in a twin bill on Tuesday, La Roche scored eight runs in the fourth inning as it posted a 13-7 win in the opener. Rudolph and Robison both homered for Penn College and Robison finished with two RBIs. Starting pitcher Ben Bretzman, of Bendersville, went four innings and took the loss.
In the second game, Rudolph and Dick both had home runs – Rudolph finished with three RBIs – in a 9-4 victory that made a winner of starting pitcher Zac Weaver, of Pottstown, who fanned five and walked two in five innings.
On Wednesday against once-beaten Catholic University, the Wildcats lost, 7-2, scoring unearned runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Jake Wagner, of Palmyra, went 3 for 4 at the plate and scored a run. Freshman pitcher Jonas McGrath, of Ashland, went five innings, giving up five earned runs, and took the loss.
Wrapping up the week on Thursday, Robison singled in a run in the second inning and plated another in the fourth on a groundout before homering in the seventh of an 8-3 loss to Bethany College. Webb started and went 5⅓ innings on the mound giving up eight earned runs while walking four and striking out eight.
Later Thursday, the Wildcats beat Suffolk University, 3-1, to go to 4-6 on the season. Weaver earned his second win on the mound with 2⅔ innings of scoreless work in relief of Porter who started, fanning nine and walking two over the first five innings.
Softball
Penn College posted a 3-3 record during its annual spring trip to North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and competition in the Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic.
In their season opener Monday morning, the Wildcats were limited to five hits in an 11-3 loss to Medaille College. Jordan Specht, of Frederick, Maryland, went 3 for 3 at the plate, including a home run, double and three RBIs, while starting pitcher Kyla Benner, of Bethlehem, took the loss.
Later Monday against Gettysburg College, Mackenzie Weaver, of Montoursville, tossed a four-hitter; Specht went 2 for 4 with one run scored and one RBI; and Lexi Snyder, of Hegins, had a two-run double in a 6-2 victory.
Tuesday morning against Fitchburg State, Margaret Mangene, of Boalsburg, plated two runs with a triple in the top if the fourth inning and Penn College scored three unearned runs in the eighth after a pair of Fitchburg errors – two scoring on a double by Ivvy Morder, of Mechanicsburg, for a 5-3 win. Weaver picked up her second pitching win with an 11-strikeout, three-walk performance.
Later Tuesday against Cedar Crest College, Maddie Hurst, of Mechanicsburg, plated two runs with a second-inning double and Kassidy Chase, of Bernville, drove in two more with a fifth-inning single to highlight a 9-2 win. Benner went six innings on the hill, striking out six and walking one to even her record at 1-1.
After a day off, the Wildcats returned to action on Thursday morning with a first-game 4-0 loss to William Peace, during which Penn College collected just three hits – two by Specht – and committed three errors. Weaver went the six-inning distance on the mound, allowing one earned run and fanning nine.
Thursday afternoon, Penn College completed a 3-3 week with a 7-6 loss to Greensboro College.
Both of Friday’s scheduled games were canceled when rain moved into the area.
Men’s lacrosse
Penn College’s program-record season-opening five-match win streak came to a halt on Wednesday in its first United East outing when it fell to perennial power and defending champion St. Mary’s (Md.) College, 29-7. Three Wildcats each had a goal and an assist.
In nonconference action at Shenandoah University on Saturday, Penn College lost, 15-8, and now is 5-2. Camden Elmo, of Hanover, finished with two goals for Penn College, while Trey Soli, of Ridgefield, Connecticut, had one goal and one assist.
Earlier in the week, goalie JJ Cella, of Cape May, New Jersey, was honored by being named the United East Men’s Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after his 12-save effort against Juniata College on March 1, an 11-4 victory, and his 20-save effort on March 4, in the team’s 12-11 win over Drew University.
Men’s/women’s basketball
Senior Will Sulesky, of Huntingdon, and junior Emily Pardee, of Williamsport, have been named to their respective UE All-Sportsmanship Teams. The squads recognize student-athletes who epitomize the ideals of sportsmanship. Student-athletes selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team demonstrate fair play, graciousness in victory and respectfulness in defeat. Each has been chosen by their coach as a representative who embodies the Division III spirit.
SCHEDULES/RECORDS
Wrestling
Friday-Saturday, March 10-11 – NCAA Division III Championships at Roanoke, Va., tied for 52nd in a 71-team field
Baseball
Overall: 4-6
UE: 0-0
The Ripken Experience Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Sunday, March 5 – vs. Hilbert College (2), W, 4-2; L, 5-4
Monday, March 6 – vs. Rivier University, W, 18-6
Tuesday, March 7 – vs. La Roche University (2), L, 13-7; W, 9-4
Wednesday, March 8 – vs. Catholic University, L, 7-2
Thursday, March 9 – vs. Bethany College, L, 8-3
Thursday, March 9 – vs. Suffolk University, W, 3-1
(Home games at Bowman Field)
Friday, March 17 – at Penn State Abington (UE), 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 18 – at Penn State Abington (UE, 2), noon
Tuesday, March 21 – host Lycoming College (2), 2 p.m.
Softball
Overall: 3-3
UE: 0-0
Fastpitch Dreams Spring Classic, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Monday, March 6 – vs. Medaille College, L, 11-3
Monday, March 6 – vs. Gettysburg College, W, 6-2
Tuesday, March 7 – vs. Fitchburg State College, W, 5-3, 8 innings
Tuesday, March 7 – vs. Cedar Crest College, W, 9-2
Thursday, March 9 – vs. William Peace University, L, 4-0
Thursday, March 9 – vs. Greensboro College, L, 7-6
Friday, March 10 – vs. Regis College, canceled, rain
Friday, March 10 – vs. Montclair State University, canceled, rain
(Home games at Elm Park)
Friday, March 17 – host Elmira College (2), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21 – host Lycoming College (2), 3 p.m.
Men’s lacrosse
Overall: 5-2
UE: 0-1
Wednesday, March 8 – at St. Mary’s (Md.) College (UE), L, 29-7
Saturday, March 11 – at Shenandoah University, L, 15-8
Saturday, March 18 – host Immaculata University, 1 p.m.
Men’s tennis
Overall: 1-1 (fall)
UE: 0-0
Saturday, March 18 – at Clarks Summit University, 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 – host Juniata College at Central PA Tennis Center, 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 2 – host King’s College at Central PA Tennis Center, 1 p.m.
Women’s tennis
Overall: 0-3 (fall)
UE: 0-0
Saturday, March 18 – at Clarks Summit University, 1 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 – host Juniata College at Central PA Tennis Center, 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 2 – host King’s College at Central PA Tennis Center, 1 p.m.
Esports
(All events at Wildcat Den)
iRacing
Monday, March 13 – CIL Cup Series-Phoenix, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 15 – CIL Short Track Showdown-North Wilkesboro Speedway, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 20 – CIL Cup Series-Talladega, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21 – CIL Formula College World Championship – Gilles Villeneuve, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 29 – CIL Short Track Showdown-Richmond Raceway, 8 p.m.
Monday, April 3 – CIL Cup Series-Charlotte, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 4 – CIL Formula College World Championship – Watkins Glen, 8 p.m.
Monday, April 10 – CIL Cup Series-Michigan, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 12 – CIL Short Track Showdown-Nashville Fairgrounds, 8 p.m.
Monday, April 17 – CIL Cup Series-Bristol, 8 p.m.
Monday, April 24 – CIL Cup Series-Homestead, Miami, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 26 – CIL Short Track Showdown-Five Flags Speedway, 8 p.m.
NACE Rocket League Varsity
Record: 0-4
Monday, March 6 – vs. St. Lawrence University, L, 3-0 (2-1, 4-1 3-2)
Monday, March 13 – vs. St. Xavier University, 7 p.m.
Monday, March 20 – vs. Lawrence Technological University, 7 p.m.
NACE Overwatch 2
Record: 0-5
Tuesday, March 7 – vs. North Carolina, L, 3-0 (2-0, 1-0, 1-0)
Tuesday, March 14 – vs. University of Jamestown, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21 – vs. George Mason University, 7 p.m.
NACE Valorant
Record: 0-4
Wednesday, March 15 – vs. University of Jamestown, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 22 – vs. Ferris State University, 7 p.m.
For more about the United East, visit the conference website.
For additional information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
No. 30-B