Sluggers knock off Hoyas in double-header

The wind furiously whipped through Beaver Field, kicking up dirt and badgering the flight of the baseball. Less than 100 spectators robed in oversized parkas and blankets sat scattered throughout the two sets of bleachers.

The weather was more conducive to a mid-winter football game in Chicago. But for Lion baseball coach Joe Hindelang, opening day was simply perfect.

"I didn't realize -- and it's my seventh year here -- how wonderful it is to play at home," Hindelang said. "It's a comfort to play here. It's just this nice feeling."

Perhaps Hindelang would feel differently if Georgetown swept his Lion squad in yesterday's double header. But instead, Penn State (11-10) continued its strong pitching and timely hitting in sweeping the Hoyas (8-17-1) yesterday. The Lions took the first game easily, 6-1, and beat out a pitchers' duel to take the second, 3-2.

"We did everything we could," Hoya coach Kirk Mason said, "but it just wasn't enough."

The Lions coasted in the first game behind strong pitching from starter Matt Dalsey. The southpaw surrendered an unearned run on three hits and struck out two in seven solid innings.

Second baseman Scott Boruta, who had been slumping lately, took Hoya starter Kevin Doody deep in the bottom of the second with a home run off the scoreboard in right field that put Penn State ahead, 3-0.

Catcher Jared Sadlowski hit a monster shot over the left field fence in the bottom of the third for his fifth home run of the season.

The Lions shelled Doody for six runs on eight hits in 4 and 1/3 innings.

"We're taking every opportunity we've had," Sadlowski said. "We have nine good hitters, all could get the job done."

Penn State took advantage of Georgetown's sloppy defense late in the second game. The Lions fell behind early on some poor defense of their own as Georgetown scored two first inning runs on two Penn State fielding errors. But the Lion defense settled down, as well as starter Joe Martin, who survived a shaky first inning and gave up just five hits in five innings.

Two Georgetown errors in the bottom of the fifth gave way to two Lion runs, giving Penn State a 3-2 lead. Lion reliever Chris Mattice came on for the final two innings, allowing just one baserunner and striking out two en route to successfully closing out the second game.

"Errors are a part of baseball," Martin said. "It's unfortunate that they happen, but we were able to comeback and score some runs."

Penn State has won five of its last six games and open up the Big Ten season at Michigan this weekend.