By Charles Jardine
Sports Editor
The Franciscan University baseball team defeated the Pennsylvania State Beavers 22-0 in the first of a two game double header on Wednesday, March 22, at 4 p.m.
Sophomore centerfielder Jack Froman kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the first with a leadoff homerun, giving the Barons a 1-0 lead. Senior first baseman Brendan Burke took the Beavers pitcher over the fences two batters later for a two-run homerun. Senior catcher Dylan Robb rounded out the Barons scoring in the first with an RBI single, putting the Barons up 4-0.
Senior pitcher Jacob Watson continued dominating on the mound in the second inning recording a strikeout, a pickoff and a flyout to end the inning.
The Barons offense struggled in the bottom, leaving two men stranded on base and in scoring position.
Watson dominated again in the top of the third, striking out two batters and one runner caught stealing.
The Barons put on a batting exhibition in the bottom of the third using three singles, a double and a couple of Beaver errors to score six more runs before the inning came to a close.
Freshman Charlie Sabol replaced Watson in the top of the fourth with a 10-point lead cushion. Sabol continued the dominance seen from Watson, striking out the first batter, getting a groundout for the second and recording another strikeout to end the Beavers’ inning.
The Beavers made short work of the Barons in the fourth inning going one two three in a flyout, groundout and flyout.
In the top of the fifth, Sabol walked the first batter, struck out the second and caused the third to ground into a double play to end the inning.
In the final inning, the Barons were locked in on the Beaver pitcher, scoring twelve runs across six hits, seven walks and an error to end the game at 22-0 Barons.
The Barons played the Beavers in the second game of their double header and also won, 9-2.