Men's Golf
In their last outing, Oct. 10, the Wildcats ended on a high after finishing second among nine teams in the North Eastern Athletic Conference Fall Preview on their home course at Williamsport Country Club, and coach Matt Haile is hopeful that momentum carries over to the spring.
“I wish I could say a definitive ‘Yes,’ but with the weather that we’ve had thus far, it hasn’t been too cooperative. We’re trying to get there and get some reps (repetitions) in, and I hope that we can bounce back quick,” said Haile, in his ninth season. “But golf here in the northeast, in the spring season, is somewhat of a challenge.
“The guys are excited. They’re looking to build upon the success that we had in the fall.”
With only four competitive matches before Penn College hosts the conference championship at WCC on April 28-29, with a bid to the NCAA Division III Championship awaiting the winner, Haile knows much has to be accomplished in little time.
“It’s going to be interesting. We’re just trying to stay focused. … I’m very proud of where they were at in the fall and just get them out and on the course. … As golfers, they have to be mentally tough to overcome the fact that they don’t have the reps, but they are confident in their game. We reiterate to them to have confidence in themselves and have confidence in their games,” the coach said.
While the Wildcats boast a 13-player roster, only five will compete in each match and which five compete will be determined by team qualifiers. Among those who stood out during the fall were junior Ned Baumbach, of Elizabethtown; freshman Eli Dyer, of Wallingford, Connecticut; freshman Dan Pivirotto, of State College; freshman Brian Whelan, of Cresco; sophomore Ben Fails, of Hummelstown; and sophomore Austin Moscariello, of New Columbia.
During the NEAC Fall Preview, not only did Penn College finish one stroke behind defending conference champ Rutgers-Camden, but Moscariello shot a 74 and was one stroke away from medaling.
“There are a lot of guys to choose from and a lot of guys are hungry to be in that lineup,” Haile said.
Practicing indoors yet again one recent rainy day, the coach talked about the possibility of future trips south for his team during spring break.
“It’s something that I’ve been tossing around. The big thing is the cost.
“As we build the program and get better, and recruit guys, it’s one thing that we’re going to have to do. Our conference championships are in the spring, so if you want to get the true reps and competitive rounds in, you’ve got to go somewhere where it’s warmer so you can get those rounds under your belt and you’re coming out fresh for the spring season,” Haile said.
Baseball
In nonconference play on Friday, Penn College posted wins over Cabrini University by scores of 11-9 and 17-3 to even their overall record at 6-6. In the first game, the Wildcats were trailing 8-5 after five innings before they erupted for six runs in the sixth with the key hit a three-run homer by Colton Riley, of Danville. Riley finished the game with three hits and three runs scored. In the second game, Penn College trailed 2-0 after two innings but dominated after that, putting up six runs in the fifth inning and eight in the seventh. Cody Cline, of Waynesboro, and Ben Flicker, of Topton, each had three hits with Cline driving in four runs and Flicker three. Flicker and Riley also both homered.
Saturday’s scheduled game at Pitt-Bradford was postponed.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: Host Cazenovia College (4-6 overall), 1 p.m. Saturday; host Wells College (10-5 overall), noon Sunday.
Last meetings vs. Cazenovia College: Won 5-2 and 21-8 on April 15.
Last meetings vs. Wells College: Won 10-3 and 9-3 on April 1, 2017.
Softball
Hosting Morrisville State College in their NEAC opener on Saturday, the Wildcats won by scores of 9-3 and 8-1 to even their overall record at 8-8 and go to 2-0 in the conference. In the opener, pitcher Kelsea Dangle, of Montoursville, allowed just one earned run while striking out seven and was aided by a five-run third inning. Alyssa Gentile, of Fairport, New York, and Laycee Clark, of Tyrone, each had three hits in a 16-hit attack. In the second game, Penn College pitching again was solid as Morgan Heritage, of New Castle, Delaware, allowed one earned run and fanned 12. On the offensive side, Clark added two hits and Taylor Brooks, of Cogan Station, had three hits.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: At Cazenovia College (6-8 overall), 3 p.m. Wednesday; at Wilson College (2-8 overall), 1 p.m. Saturday; at Penn State Berks (4-7 overall), noon Sunday.
Last meetings vs. Cazenovia College: Won 12-5 and 9-5 on April 9.
Last meetings vs. Wilson College: First-time opponent.
Last meetings vs. Penn State Berks: Lost 10-2 on May 6.
Statistically speaking: Hermitage is tied at No. 1 in the NEAC with three wins and is third in strikeouts with 34. Taylor Krow, of Mechanicsburg, is 11th with a .400 batting average. Gentile is tied for eighth with eight runs batted in.
NEAC North Division standings through Sunday: Penn College 2-0, Wells College 1-1, SUNY Cobleskill 1-1, Cazenovia College 0-0, SUNY Poly 0-0, Keuka College 0-0, Morrisville State College 0-2.
Men's Tennis
Penn College opened its spring season on Friday with a 6-3 nonconference win over Elmira College as it improved to 2-5 overall (after a 1-5 fall season). Winning both their singles and doubles matches for the Wildcats were Will DeMarco, of Glen Mills, at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles, and Joe Morrin, of Morrisville, at No. 5 singles and No. 3 doubles.
SCHEDULE/RECORDS/RESULTS
Baseball
Overall: 6-6
Friday, March 30 – at Cabrini University (2), W, 11-9; W, 17-3
Saturday, March 31 – at Pitt-Bradford (2), ppd.
Saturday, April 7 – host Cazenovia College (NEAC, 2) at Bowman Field, 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 8 – host Wells College (NEAC, 2) at Bowman Field, noon
Wednesday, April 11 – host King’s College at Bowman Field (2), 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Overall: 8-8
NEAC: 2-0
Saturday, March 31 – host Morrisville State College (NEAC, 2) W, 9-3; W, 8-1
Tuesday, April 3 – at Cazenovia College (NEAC, 2), 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 7 – at Wilson College (NEAC, 2), 1 p.m.
Sunday, April 8 – at Penn State Berks (NEAC, 2), noon
Friday, April 13 – at Keuka College (NEAC, 2), 3 p.m.
Men’s Tennis
Overall: 2-5
Friday, March 30 – host Elmira College, W, 6-3
Monday, April 2 – host Misericordia University, 3 p.m.
Saturday, April 14 – at Bryn Athyn (NEAC), 11 a.m.
Women’s Tennis
Monday, April 2 – host Misericordia University, 3 p.m.
Thursday, April 5 – host St. Elizabeth (NEAC), 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 14 – at Bryn Athyn (NEAC), 11 a.m.
Men’s Golf
Monday, April 2 – Dutchmen Spring Invitational at Lebanon Valley College, noon
Thursday, April 5 – Elizabethtown Blue Jay Classic at Hershey Country Club East, noon
Wednesday, April 11 – at Keuka College Spring Invitational, 10 a.m.
Week of April 1 — host Lycoming College at Williamsport Country Club, TBA
Saturday-Sunday, April 28-29 – host NEAC Championship at Williamsport Country Club, 9 a.m.
Archery
Saturday-Sunday, April 14-15 – Adam Wheatcroft Memorial, Harrisonburg, Va.
Saturday-Sunday, April 21-22 – Outdoor Eastern Regionals, Bloomfield, N.J.
For more about NEAC, visit the conference website.
For more information, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
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