As the dawn of a new season commenced, the Penn State Wilkes Barre Mountain Lions were eager to begin a brand-new chapter within the program. The excitement traveled down to Media, PA where the Mountain Lions kicked off the 2024 campaign against Williamson College in a doubleheader.
In the first game, freshman starting pitcher Mike Volker (Tunkhannock, PA / Tunkhannock Area High School) kicked off his college career in outstanding fashion. Volker turned in a debut to remember, tossing 5.1 innings for the Mountain Lions with 4 strikeouts, while picking up his first career win. Sophomore Zac Chamberlain (Slatington, PA / Northern Lehigh High School) relieved Volker in the 6th inning, closing out the game for the Mountain Lions and securing his first save.
On the offensive side of things, the Mountain Lions' bats came ready to dominate in game 1. Freshman Jay Shemanski's (Nanticoke, PA / Greater Nanticoke Area High School) RBI double, scoring freshman Jakob Baltrusaitis (Tunkhannock, PA / Tunkhannock Area High School), in the top of the first inning jumpstarted the offense. Senior Joey Polanowski (Wilkes Barre, PA / Myers High School) had a day to remember, crushing a solo home run in the top of the third inning to take the lead and a three-run blast in the 4th inning to extend the Mountain Lions' lead over Williamson. Sophomore Andrew Mentzer (Lancaster, PA / Hempfield High School) crossed the plate 3 times while making a spectacular diving catch in right field in Wilkes Barre's 16-6 victory in game 1.
While the Mountain Lions fell short in game 2, freshman pitcher Kevin Rivera (Allentown, PA / Parkland High School) delivered a solid debut on the hill, pitching 5 innings and racking up 5 strikeouts. Wilkes Barre was unable to capitalize with runners on base, squandering multiple scoring opportunities in the 10-3 loss in game 2. Freshman Ethan Bechel (Durand, WI / Durand-Arkansaw High School) picked up a double and a run scored in his first start as a Mountain Lion.
The Penn State Wilkes Barre Mountain Lions look to build off the strong starting pitching and the hot bats of game 1 as they embark on what should be an action-packed season!