PS Fayette back in Pa. after memorable Florida trip
Penn State Fayette蘑菇视频 baseball team didn鈥檛 get to play all six of its scheduled games on its Palm Beach Challenge trip to Florida but did manage to get on the field for four before heading back north.
The Roaring Lions fell in all four games but head coach Ryan Encapera felt the trip was a helpful experience for his team overall.
鈥淲e faced numerous challenges and adversity on and off the field but overall, I believe it helped us to build chemistry and toughness,鈥� Encapera said.
Playing at the Santaluces Complex in Lantana, Florida, Fayette lost games to Atlantis University, 9-7, and Millennia Atlantic University, 18-7, on March 12. The Roaring Lions then fell to Millennia twice, 12-3 in a game that started on March 13 but was suspended because of rain and completed on March 14, and 19-0 in a second game that same day.
On the night of March 13 the team took in the Dominican Republic-Korea matchup in the World Baseball Classic at the Miami Marlins鈥� IoanDeport Park.
鈥淭he scores may not reflect it but we showed improvement and are playing much better baseball than when we did at the beginning of the year,鈥� Encapera said.
Frank Macioce and Connor Perry each had two hits and an RBI in the game against Atlantis and Lucas Vilchez doubled. Fayette also got one RBI each from Remington Lessman and AJ Segarra. Losing pitcher Brandon Bieier pitched a complete game.
In the March 12 game against Millennia, Brogan Meighen hit a two-run double in a six-run sixth inning. Ashton Ray also doubled and Tyler Marra drove in a run for the Roaring Lions.
Perry had two hits and Segarra contributed a double and an RBI in the first game against Millennia on March 13. Macioce and Ray both had a single and an RBI. Meighen allowed three runs in three innings in taking the loss.
In the second matchup with Millennia on March 13, Fayette was held to just two singles, one each by Hunter Smiley and Joshua Gonzalez.
Two games scheduled against Florida National were rained out.
Encapera saw plenty of positive signs despite the losses.
鈥淭he experience was unforgettable for all of us,鈥� Encapera said. 鈥淲e had players who flew for the first time and had never been to a Major League Baseball spring training game.
鈥淏aseball-wise, getting to the WBC game (Dominican Republic defeated Korean, 10-0) was a once-in-a-lifetime memory of the Dominican vibe and atmosphere in Miami.鈥�
Back in Pennsylvania, the Roaring Lions are slated to play two non-conference games against Manor College at Bucks County Community College in Newtown on Friday at 1 and 3 p.m.
Fayette also is scheduled to play a doubleheader against the host team (noon and 2:30 p.m.) on Saturday and a twinbill vs.Central Penn (noon and 2:30 p.m.) on Sunday.