With sunny skies and temperatures around 70 degrees, it was a perfect day for Waynesburg University to have their home opener against Penn State Behrend. And to top it all off, a 4-2 victory over the Lions. 

“A 4-2 win in some high-pressure situations proves our guys came ready to play,” Waynesburg head coach Perry Cunningham said. “Playing a tough schedule early in the season is going to pay off for us.” 

Waynesburg freshman shortstop Todd Burner started the scoring in the second inning with an RBI single to send home sophomore third baseman Mike Bell for the first run of the game. 

Burner made it home a few plays later off an RBI single from senior catcher Tyler Woodrow, giving the Yellow Jackets a 2-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last long, as Behrend junior catcher CJ Weller sent junior designated hitter Shaun Mikulan into home for a run in the third inning on an RBI single. 

Soon after, senior infielder Zack Bowen batted in junior outfielder Colin Harger to tie the game 2-2. 

Three innings passed before another run was scored. 

Sophomore first baseman Justin Clevinger made it home on an errant throw from Lions freshman shortstop Chase Palmer to give the Yellow Jackets the lead back, 3-2, at the end of six innings. 

In the eighth inning, Clevinger was sent home for his second run by freshman center fielder Alec Englemore to extend the lead 4-2. The Yellow Jackets held on to win their home opener. 

Senior pitcher Corey Fischer started on the mound for Waynesburg, pitching for seven innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out four batters. 

Senior pitcher Joe Sabolek pitched the last two innings to earn himself the save and Fischer the win.

“I just try to pitch to contact and let my defense behind me,” Fischer said. “And they played a great game. [Burner] made a lot of plays at shortstop, [Englemore] played a great centerfield. I just did my job and let the guys behind me do my job, and the whole team played great.” 

The baseball team is now 3-6, and their next series is a doubleheader at Allegheny College on March 17 in Meadville, Pa.