Jeney throws no-hitter, Rock leads PSAC

At every level of baseball, from little league to the professional level, it's every pitcher's dream to throw a no-hitter. For SRU left-hander Zach Jeney, that dream came true Saturday afternoon when he took the mound at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.  

Jeney threw a seven-inning, no-hit bid in game one of the doubleheader, propelling the Green and White to a 5-0 victory over division rival Lock Haven. Jeney, who is 6-1 on the season, struck out six and walked four in the game. This was the second no-hitter this spring for the Rock after sophomore left-hander Joby Lapkowicz threw a no-hitter against Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

SRU scored one run in the top of the first inning of the first game to take an early lead before the offense provided Jeney with four more runs in the sixth inning.

The key to SRU's 3-0 win in the second game of the day was also due to the combined pitching performances by freshmen right-handers Lou Trivino and Ryan Oglesby.

Trivino allowed three hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter in the first six innings. Oglesby recorded his sixth save of the season after allowing only one hit and striking out one in the bottom of the seventh.  

Saturday's second game was scoreless until sophomore third baseman Jamison Walck hit a two-run single in the top of the sixth inning to give the Rock a 2-0 advantage. Designated hitter Mitchell Monas added an RBI double to score SRU's final run of the game and secure them with a 3-0 victory.

Saturday's wins improved the Rock's season record to 25-13 overall and 13-5 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. They still hold a 1 1/2 game lead over second place Mercyhurst College.

After a washout Monday, the Green and White faced yet another challenge against Lock Haven, but this time it was at Jack Critchfield Park. SRU lost a 9-8 decision in extra innings in Tuesday's first game, but bounced back in the second game and shut out the Bald Eagles 5-0.

Lock Haven scored seven runs in the first two innings against Rock starter Lapkowicz, but needed a run in the top of the eighth inning to finish off the Green and White.

After trailing 8-4, the Rock was able to tie the game at eight with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Lock Haven center-fielder Matt McCamley collected the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 10th to plate the winning run.  

Rock senior right-hander George Herbert shut the door on the Bald Eagles in game two as he pitched a two-hit shutout. 

The Rock backed Herbert's dominating performance on the mound with a nine-hit offensive attack against Lock Haven.

Junior left-fielder Carter Haponski and senior center-fielder Matt Howard hit back-to-back doubles to give the Rock an early 1-0 lead. 

SRU expanded its lead to 3-0 behind two third inning singles by freshman second-baseman Will Kengor, Haponski, Howard (RBI) and senior shortstop Adam Jury.

Freshman right-hander John Kovalik pitched in relief of Lapkowicz and allowed one earned run on three hits, struck out seven, walked three and hit one batter to allow the Rock to keep a comfortable lead.

The Rock is scheduled to open their four-game series with Mercyhurst for a 1 p.m. doubleheader Friday in Erie before closing out the set with a 4 p.m. twinbill Saturday at Jack Critchfield Park.