Penn State Shenango baseball fell on Friday afternoon, dropping a 12-2 decision to Penn State Hazleton in six innings. Despite out-hitting their opponents in the early frames, Shenango was unable to overcome a high-scoring third inning by Hazleton.

Dominic Fornataro provided a bright spot for the offense, finishing the day 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Dante Micaletti also turned in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Hazleton jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, aided by an error and a timely RBI single. Shenango looked to respond in the second when Fornataro doubled to right field and Troy Bachman singled, but the scoring threat was neutralized.

The home team broke the game open in the third, plating five runs on four hits to extend the lead to 8-0. Shenango got on the board in the fourth inning when Fornataro doubled for the second time and later scored on an RBI groundout by Bachman. In the fifth, Will Perry singled and was replaced by pinch-runner Will Nardone. After Anthony Miller singled and John Perry drew a walk to load the bases, Jason Malley drove Nardone home with a groundout to second, cutting the deficit to 10-2.

On the mound, JA Quahliero started and went 2.2 innings, striking out two. Jacob Csonka tossed 2.2 innings of relief, and Connor Doeberiener appeared in the sixth. Defensively, Shenango turned two double plays to help limit the damage in the first and second innings.

Shenango finished the game with eight hits but left eight runners on base. The team will look to bounce back as they continue their conference schedule.

Top Performers

• Dominic Fornataro: 2-3, 2 2B, R

• Dante Micaletti: 2-3

• Troy Bachman: 1-3, RBI

• Jason Malley: 0-3, RBI

• Will Nardone: 1-1, R

• Anthony Miller: 1-3, BB