WOLFPACK OPENS SEASON AGAINST PSU-GREATER ALLEGHENY

BUTLER, Pa. - The Westmoreland County Community College baseball team opened up its 2019 season Saturday afternoon with two setbacks against Penn State-Greater Allegheny at Kelly Automotive Park in Butler.

The Lions opened the day with a 16-0 victory in the first game, as they scored three runs in the first inning, five in the third frame and put the game away with eight runs in the fourth inning. This was the first time this spring Westmoreland managed to be outside and four errors led to seven unearned runs in the contest. The starter on the mound was Andy Bradford, who was charged with seven runs, but only one earned, in 2 1/3 innings and he struck out four.

With the sticks, shortstop Zack Blystone had two singles and left fielder Mason Sarsfield hit a single as well.

In the nightcap, Greater Allegheny took an early lead again and held off a late charge from the Wolfpack. The Lions scored a run in the first inning and two more in the third to take a 3-0 advantage, which carried into the sixth inning.

The Westmoreland inning began with a leadoff walk to centerfielder Nico Cuello, who had doubled earlier in the game. He moved to second on a ground out and was chased home on an RBI single by catcher Nolen Ferree to trim the Lions lead to 3-1.

Greater Allegheny would push two insurance runs across in the bottom half of the sixth, but Westmoreland would mount another rally in the final inning. A leadoff walk started the frame, as right fielder Aaron Tumicki earned a free pass. He took second on a ground out and would score when a single by Blystone was bobbled in the outfield to make it a 5-2 score. The Wolfpack had the tying run on deck, but could not get him to the plate, as the next two batters were retired to end the Westmoreland comeback chances.

The Wolfpack outhit the Lions 6-5 in the second game. Cuello reached base three times with a double, single and walk and Ferree stroked two singles as well. Blystone was on base twice with a single and walk and Bradford had a single to round out the offense.

Pitching duties were split between Justin Brestensky, who started and threw the first three frames, and Trevor Nelson, who struck out four in his three innings of work.

The Wolfpack are scheduled to be back on the diamond Thursday in their home opener against Penn State-New Kensington at 4 pm.