WILKES-BARRE, Pa. ­­– The Lebanon Valley College baseball team took a late lead with three runs in the top of the eighth inning, fueling the program's 8-7 comeback victory over King's College on Sunday, March 15, at Lipo Field. The win secured LVC's sweep of the season series against the Monarchs.

The Dutchmen (6-6, 3-0 MAC Freedom) opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, taking an early 1-0 lead over the Monarchs (3-7, 0-3 MAC Freedom). Spencer Butz quickly got into scoring position by reached base on a fielder's choice and stealing base. Kody Phillips then hit a two-out an RBI single through the right side, knocking in Butz. King's countered with a two-run single down the left-field line in the bottom of the first, taking a 2-1 advantage. Starting pitcher Jaden Click later tossed a scoreless bottom of the second inning for LVC, getting out of the frame with a groundout to shortstop Owen Berry to leave runners on first and second base.

Lebanon Valley generated some traffic on the basepaths in the top of the third inning, as Butz hit a single to third base and Lucien Burger drew a walk. The Monarchs then added two runs in the bottom of the third, taking a 4-1 lead on an RBI double and an error. In the bottom of the fourth inning, reliever Connor Smith pitched a shutout frame for LVC and picked up a strikeout in the process.

The Flying Dutchmen crossed the plate twice in the top of the fifth inning, narrowing their deficit to 4-3. The rally started with a leadoff single to left-center field by Dylan Mennillo and a double down the left-field line by Berry, putting runners on second and third base. Butz then logged an RBI groundout to shortstop, bringing home Mennillo. This was followed by an unassisted RBI groundout to first base by Burger, knocking in Berry. In the bottom of the fifth, King's scored two runs on an RBI single and an error, going up 6-3.

Lebanon Valley continued to battle at the plate in the top of the sixth inning, tallying two runs to make it a 6-5 contest. Kenny Palmieri got things started with a single to shortstop, before a double down the left-field line by Devin Kreger put runners on second and third base. Daniel Palmieri then came through with an RBI single to left field, driving in Kenny Palmieri. Mennillo also hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Kreger. Parker Tarnoci entered the game to pitch for the Dutchmen in the bottom of the sixth and retired the side in order. The junior registered the third out of the frame with a strikeout swinging. Tarnoci also tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh, in which the pitcher fielded a groundout himself and struck out two batters.

The Flying Dutchmen rallied for three runs in the top of the eighth inning, claiming an 8-6 lead. The club had runners the corners after Jacob Williams singled to center field and advanced to second a failed pickoff attempt, as well as a single to the pitcher by Mennillo. Berry then delivered an RBI double down the left-field line, plating Williams to even the score. Burger later hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Mennillo. Phillips also hit an RBI single to third base, knocking in Berry. The Monarchs followed this with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, trimming their deficit to 8-7. King's then loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Lebanon Valley got out the frame unscathed to earn the victory. Reliever MJ Vottero secured the victory for LVC by getting the final batter to fly out to Butz in center field.

Inside the Box Score

• Berry tied game-highs with three hits and two runs scored, while driving in a run. The senior also had a game-high two doubles, which matched his career-high.
• Phillips tied game-highs with three hits and two RBIs.
• Mennillo tied career-highs with two hits and two runs scored, while knocking in a run. The junior also tied a game-high in runs scored.
• Butz logged a hit, an RBI, a run scored, a stolen base, and a hit-by-pitch.
• Burger tied game-highs with two RBIs and two walks. The sophomore also matched a season-high in walks.
• Daniel Palmieri recorded a base hit, an RBI, and a stolen base.
• Kreger tallied two hits, a run scored, and a stolen base.
• Kenny Palmieri had a hit, a walk, and a run scored.
• Williams registered a hit, a run scored, and a stolen base.
• Carter Enders picked up a base hit.
• Tyler Satterfield drew a walk.
• Lebanon Valley outhit King's 15-7.
• Tarnoci tied a game-high three strikeouts to set a career-high, while earning his first career win on the mound. The junior is 1-0 so far this season.
• Vottero recorded his first career save by tallying the final two outs of LVC's victory.
• Smith matched a game-high three strikeouts in his relief appearance.

Up Next
The Flying Dutchmen are scheduled to return to action on Tuesday, March 17, at 3:30 p.m., as the program will travel to take on Haverford College at Kannerstein Field in Haverford, Pa.

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