Baseball Opens 2024 With 11-6 Win at #5 Lynchburg - York College of Pennsylvania (2024)

David Sinclair Photography

• Box Score

Game Recap: Baseball | 3/2/2024 6:51:00 PM | Scott Guise, Director of Athletic Communications

The Spartans scored nine runs in the final four innings to earn the win

LYNCHBURG, VA – The York College baseball squad opened their 2024 season with a big win at #5 Lynchburg on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Lynchburg, Virginia.
The assignment for York was a tough one to open the year as the Hornets are the defending Division III National Champions and had already played six games so far this year. The Spartans were up to the task as theyscored nine runs over the final four innings of the game.
The Spartans are now 1-0 while the nationally ranked Hornets are 4-3.

Runs: York 11 – Lynchburg 6
Hits: York 17; Lynchburg 7
Errors: York 0; Lynchburg 2
LOB: York 8; Lynchburg 8
WP: Owen Brockner (1-0); LP: Austin Riney (1-1); Save: Ethan Kennedy (1)

How It Happened
• The Spartans got off to a quick start in the top of the first. The Hornets got the first two outs of the inning but Robby Elzinga started his year with a double to left center. Andrew Santarpia struck out but reached first on an error as Elzinga moved to third. Michael Tinneny then ripped a triple to right, scoring Elzinga and Santarpia for the 2-0 lead.
• The Hornets sliced their deficit in half in the bottom of the third and their uprising came with two outs. Brandon Garcia doubled to right center. O'Kelly McWilliams was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second. Benton Jones then doubled to left center, scoring Garcia and advancing McWilliams to third. Spartan starter Bryce Shaffer walked the next hitter before retiring Bryce Demory to escape the jam.
• The Hornets had a big inning in the fifth as they finally got to Shaffer. Hornet catcher Sean Pokorak opened the inning with a solo home run to left center, tying the game at two. Garcia and McWilliams each drew walks to put Hornets at first and second. Jones plated both runners as he tripled to right center to give Lynchburg the 4-2 lead. Eric Hiett scored Jones with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to three. Reliever Owen Brockner got the Spartans out of the inning without any further damage.
• The Spartans answered in the top of the sixth with three runs to tie the game at five. Santarpia began the rally with a walk. Tinneny singled to move Santarpia to second. Connor Pickle then laced a triple to right to score two. Chris Betler next plated Pickle with an RBI single to left, tying the game at five. The Hornets got a double play followed by a ground out to keep the game tied.
• York kept rolling in the seventh with another three spot. Dawson Shelley reached on an error and then scored on a Santarpia double to left center. Tinneny was hit by a pitch and then Pickle loaded the bases with a single to left. Senior Brett DeWees then plated a pair with a double to right, scoring Santarpia and Tinneny for an 8-5 lead.
• The Spartans dodged a bullet in the bottom of the seventh. Sophom*ore Eric Chaney came on in relief of Brockner. He hit the lead off batter and then walked two more Hornets to load the bases with nobody out. Chaney then got a strikeout and then was called for a balk to plate a run. Chaney rebounded to strike out the side as the Spartans led 8-6 through seven.
• York got three huge insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Tinneny opened the inning with a double. After a flyout, Betler laid down bunt single to put runners at first and second. DeWees singled to load the bases. Luke Moser then singled to right to score Tinneny. Lucas Prendergast next ripped a single to left center, scoring Betler and DeWees for the 11-6 lead.
• Senior Ethan Kennedy closed it out for the Spartans as he tossed two innings to earn the save, his first of the year. Kennedy allowed one hit with a pair of strikeouts in the final two innings. Brocker earned his first collegiate win with two innings of work in relief. He allowed a run on two hits to earn the win.

Spartan Offensive Leaders
Michael Tinneny: 3-for-4, 3 runs, two RBI, 2B, 3B
Connor Pickle: 3-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, 3B
Chris Betler: 3-for-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, BB
Brett DeWees 3-for-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, 2B
Robby Elzinga: 2-for-5, 1 run, 2 2B
Lucas Predergast: 1-for-5, 2 RBI

Spartan Pitching
Bryce Shaffer: 4.0 IP, 4 hits, 4 ER, 2 K, 4 BB
Owen Brockner: 2.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER (Win, 1-0)
Eric Chaney: 1.0 IP, 0 hits, 1 ER, 3 K, 2 BB, 1 HBP
Ethan Kennedy: 2.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 ER, 2 K (Save, 1)

Spartan Notes
The Spartans snap an eight-game losing streak against the Hornets as York is now 4-9 all-time against Lynchburg … the loss for the Hornets at home is rare as they were 72-7 at home over the last four years before Saturday's home opener … the Hornets opened their schedule with five games against ranked opponents … the Spartans 17 hits are the most since they banged out 19 in the April 10, 2023 win over Eastern … the 11 runs in the opener is the most since the 2021 campaign when they scored 15 runs against Lebanon Valley on March 9 … York has scored in double digits in three of their last four openers … seven of York's 17 hits were for extra bases with five doubles and two triples … Owen Brockner earned his first win in his first collegiate appearance for the Spartans … junior Michael Tinneny tied his career high with three hits while his three runs also ties a career high … senior Connor Pickle set a new career-high with his three hits … junior Chris Betler tied his career-high with three hits … senior Brett DeWees had a career-high three hits and two RBI in the win … senior Ethan Kennedy earned his eighth career save for the Spartans.

Up Next
The Spartans and Hornets are set to close out their three-game series with a doubleheader on Sunday. Game one is set for an 11:00 am start.