Page 12
Pitching up and down
by Nick Zulovich
The P, n State-Behrend Lions baseball team has tried to
pick up r. ;ht where they left off from their Florida trip.
The Lions have had to hit the road for their first four
games up north, traveling to Oberlin last Saturday and
Thiel last Monday.
The Lions earned a split against Oberlin, falling in the
rust game 8-2, then bouncing back to shut out Oberlin in
the nightcap 5-0.
Bob Vadala was roughed up in the first game, giving up
six runs on eight hits in just two innings of work. Matt
Holian came in relief of Vadala and pitched well, stiking
out nine in five innings. But the Behrend bats did not
come to life after scoring their two runs in the first
inning.
Freshman John Ronan twirled a masterpiece in the
second game, shutting out Oberlin on just three hits over
seven innings.
Ronan feels he's ready to pitch at any moment.
"I am confident when I go out there. I believe I can do
the job, just give me the ball," Ronan said.
Ronan was a little surprised to be one of the starters for
the Lions, but he feels like there is no time like the
present to start playing well
"I didn't expect this much playing time my freshman
year, but we are pretty much all freshmen on this team.
So we have to pick it up from the start. We can't wait
around for everyone else," explained Ronan.
Head Coach Paul Benim said the field conditions at
Oberlin were decent, but that the temperatures fell nearly
30 degrees while the Lions were in action. Conditions
were much different then what the Lions enjoyed in
Florida.
"You have to get used to the environment [up north].
There is a big difference between 80-87 degrees and 45. It
does take some time [to adjust]. I think pitchers have the
advantage until the hitters get used to the cold. We need
‘f-1_::_:0 ,- F.,.,•0,..:.......-0 . .: - "•.. - .: - i . .0.0.11):..:..0..0.1....i.i:to,i.,,t . .7".•....,....... : AT . vv . i!
by Matt Nina
Caked= Staff
"John is a fierce competitor
when he steps onto to field"
reclaims first year baseball
oath Paul Benim. His intensity
nd pitching earned freshman
ohn Ronan Housing and Food
ervice Athlete of the Week
honors.
For the season Ronan has been
3 minanC on the mound earning
Behrend IM update
by Nick Zulovich
Sports Editor
Though it seems like the
semester might not even end,
intramurals are in the home
stretch with just five events
remaining.
Six on six volleyball is
currently going on with over 40
teams competing for the top
spot.
Soccer will begin the week of
April 1.
Applications for modified
softball are due by Friday, March
29. Men's, women's and coed
teams can be entered. Teams are
allowed only two former varsity
players per team. Current varsity
softball and baseball players are
not eligible to participate.
Fraternities are allowed to enter
two teams to earn points, but
residence halls and independent
Sports Editor
two wins and a save in three
outings. Even more impressive
is his 103 earned run average.
"Ronan is a great pitcher, he
hits his spots and works hard
each time out," catcher Marc
Burchanowski said
Despite not having
overpowering velocity on his
fastball John has 23 strikeouts in
just 17 innings. Even more
impressive is the 6 base on balls
he has given up over the same
teams are allowed just one team
to participate.
A mandatory meeting for a
modified softball team captains
will be Monday, April 1 at 5:30
in the Erie. Hall classroom.
Friday. April 5 is the deadline
for entries for intramural
swimming and badminton.
Swimming includes nine
events with a champion crowned
in each event. The competition
will be held at the Eastside
YMCA on Buffalo Road Sunday,
April 14 starting at 3 p.m.
The Badminton tournament
will begin April 10. Singles
divisions for both men and
women, as well as doubles for
men, women, and coed, are
available: All entrants must
check the glass case near the
intramural office April 8 to find
out when matches are scheduled.
Sports
to play some games up here to get a better understanding
of the conditions," stated Benin).
Monday at Thiel the Lions earned a split again. The
Tomcats shut out the Lions 7-0 in the first game.
Behrend took the nightcap by a score of 8-1.
Errors were the story of the in the first game against
Thiel. The Lions committed five errors in the game,
You have to get used to the
environment (up north]. There is a
big difference between 80-87
degrees and 45. It does take some
time (to adjust]. I think pitchers
have the advantage until the hitters
get used to the cold. We need to
play some games up here to get a
better understanding of the
conditions.
leading to six unearned runs. Daryl Schmidt took the loss
on the hill for Behrend.
The second game was a much different story for the
Lions. The Lions' bats did a much better job scoring
eight runs on eight hits, while the defense was steadier,
committing just two errors.
Vadala came back with a strong start after pitching
poorly just two days earlier. He went the distance giving
up just one run on three hits.
"It was really nice to see Bob come back with a good
performance," said Benim.
With the splits over Oberlin and Thiel, the Lions now
stand at 8-3 on the season.
"Getting ahead of hitters is an
important part of my pitching
strategy. I try to out think the
batters and keep them guessing as
to what I will throw next," stated
Ronan.
John also has two complete
games and a three hit shutout that
featured nine strikeouts vs.
Oberlin.
"Ronan has been our strongest
pitcher thus tar. He is sneaky
No schedules will be mailed to
the participants' mailboxes.
The points races are more
heated than ever. In the fraternity
division, Kappa Delta Rho leads
the pack with 1,966 points.
Sigma Tau Gamma and Tau
Kappa Epsilon are close behind
with 1,771 and 1,733 points
respectively.
Jolly Ranchers [1,305 points]
lead the independent division by
almost 700 points over The Bigg
Spank [6oB].
First Lawrence West also have
a sizeable lead over Perry One in
the Residence Hall divison.
Lawrence has racked up 921
points compared to Perry's 478.
If you have any questions
about any of the intramural
schedules and deadlines, call Rob
Wittman, at x 6280.
for Lions
The Lions enter the most difficult part of their schedule
this week. Behrend will be one of five teams competing
in the Capital College Tournament in Columbus, Ohio.
The Lions will play eight games in four days starting
on Thursday. Along with Behrend and Capital College,
Shawnee State, Fredonia State, and Ohio Wesylan will be
vying for the tournament title.
"We think we are in a good position coming in with an
8-3 mark," Benim said.
Playing as many games as the Lions will in a short
period of time will take a toll on the team, especially the
pitching staff.
"Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we'll probably have six
guys start those games. Sunday we might have a pitcher
who started Thursday pitch that day," explained Benim.
A total team effort will be needed for the Lions to be
successful in the tournament as Capital College is a
Division II school and Shawnee State is highly rated in
NAIA.
Behrend as a team is hitting the ball at a .288 clip. Bill
Vitron leads the Lions bats with a .411 average and 11
RBl's. John Matson is a close second with a .393 average
and seven RBl's. The Lions running game has also been
a big part of their offense. Behrend is 68 for 79 in stolen
bases thanks to Nate Orend's 14 steals and Quinn
McGuire's 11 swipes.
Meanwhile the running game for Behrend opponents has
been nearly none existent thanks to catcher Marc
Burchanowski. Ronan is very happy to have him as his
battery mate.
"When you let some one on base, its almost like an
automatic out [if they try to steal]. They are not going
anywhere at rust. It really helps your confidence," stated
Ronan
-Paul Benim
The pitching staff's ERA is just over four at 4.02.
Ronan has been the most consistent of the staff with 23
strikeouts and a microscopic ERA at 1.06. Ronan also
has two complete games plus one save. Vadala leads the
Lions in innings pitched with 18.
and effective," says Coach
Benin.
Ronan believes his most
important asset on the mound is
his attitude. "I'm confidant when
I'm pitching. You have to
believe in your own abilities to
pitch well" he declares.
Battery mate Burchanowski
believes "John wants the ball in
his hands in big games. He
knows he can get the job done."
Ronan's experience pitching
White Streak Productions , Penn State:
Belirefid's Residence Life and IFC
RATTLE OF TIIE
BANDS 96
APRIL 19th
' DEADLINE EXTENDED
TO APRIL IST FOR BAND ENTRY
Cheek out the latest 'lssue o o f
r ,bt
Tune Magazine for more details
or call Gina at 898-6912'
i ns t an t access en she World Wide Woe,
h ttp:ltuserit.aol.coirilyystritaktolit
Thursday, March 21, 1996
against a high level of
competition at lvlercyhurst Prep
High School in Eric and i
American Legion has enabled
him to make a smooth transition
from high school to college
baseball. Coach Benim feels that
his background has allowed him
to become " a very intelligent
pitcher."