GREENSBORO, NC – Senior
Ryan McCarty had two home runs and tied Penn State Abington's all-time record in the category as the Nittany Lion offense exploded in a 26-15, season-opening win at Guilford College.
It was the first win at Penn State Abington for new head coach
David Miller as the former Major League baseball player and La Salle University head coach took over the program this winter.
McCarty led the 23-hit attack by going 4-for-7 with a double, two home runs, four runs scored and four RBIs. The three-time all-conference honoree and 2018 All-American upped his career hits total to 188, tying Tom Ditro in the Nittany Lions record books.
McCarty got things going with a two-run homer in the top of the first inning.
Anthony Bencardino stepped up to the plate shortly after and extended the Nittany Lions' lead to three with a bomb of his own.
The Quakers responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first, but the Nittany Lions took control from there, including an eight-run second inning. McCarty drove in one in the second while
Zach Morales and
Louis Rossner each plated two in the stanza.
Guilford pulled to within three, 12-9, after four innings, but back came the Penn State Abington bats with three in the fifth. The Nittany Lions then five in the eighth and six more in the ninth. Newcomers
Matt Crisci (solo home run) and
Tim Petrucelli (two-run double) highlighted the eighth while McCarty had his second blast in the ninth and Rossner added a two-run double.
All nine Penn State Abington batters had at least one hit in the game with four finishing with multiple hits. Rossner was 2-for-5 with a game-high five RBIs while Bencardino and
Sean Doherty each had three hits and two RBIs. Bencardino also scored five times. Crisci finished 4-for-7 with three RBIs. Petrucelli and
Jaden Himmelreich knocked in three runs apiece.
Bill Trimble picked up the win in relief.
The Quakers were led by third baseman Austin Bailey, who had four runs and two RBIs in just three appearances at the plate.
The two teams will be back in action again on Sunday.
