WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 19, 2023) -- Zach Day stepped up to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth to a bomb to right center, and Gregory Ahlstrom knocked in the winning run with a single as the King's College baseball team defeated Penn State Schuylkill, 9-8, at Lipo Field in non-conference play on Wednesday afternoon. With the win, the Monarchs improve to 14-17 overall, while the Nittany Lions fall to 16-9.
 
Each team put up three hits in their first two at bats, but it was Penn State Schuylkil (16-9) who struck first, plating two runs on one hit to take the early 2-0 advantage in the top of the third. The game would slow again before the Nittany Lions tacked on two more in the top of the fifth off a pair of hits.
 
The King's (14-17) offense would exploded for six runs on four this in the bottom of the sixth to take a 6-4 lead. Nick Ciszak worked a lead off walk before Chase Yochem singled to left center and Day drove in Ciszak on a double to right center. A Nittany Lions throwing error allowed two to cross, and after a single from John Barry, a wild pitch moved up the runners to score Brandon Loner. An Ahlstrom triple tacked on another tally, while Ahlstrom scored on a wild pitch to give King's the 6-0 edge.
 
After a quick top of the seventh, the Monarchs scored again in the bottom of the frame thanks to singles form Day and Marmolejos to push the lead to 7-4, but Penn State Schuylkill made a comeback effort in the top of the eighth as they plated four on four hits to go ahead, 8-7.
 
Josh Kilvitis came up big for the Monarchs in the top of the ninth, working out of a leadoff walk to strike out the final two batters in the inning and set up the exciting finish.
 
Day stepped up and laced his home run to right center to tie the game. Michael Marmolejos worked a walk in the next at bat, and after Cole Morio entered to pinch run for Marmolejos, Morio advanced to second on a beautiful sacrifice bunt from Loner. With two outs and the game facing extra innings, Ahlstrom perfectly placed a ball through the right side to score Morio and secure the 9-8 walk off win for King's at Lipo Field on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Day led King's as he went 4-for-5 with a double, home run, three runs, and two RBIs, while Ahsltrom added two hits, including a triple, two Rbis, and a run. Additionally, Ciszak, Yochem, and Marmolejos all added two hits each as part of the 15-hit team effort. Schneider was strong as the starter, throwing 4.0 innings and giving up just two runs, both unearned, on five hits with four strikeouts, while Kilvitis earned the win in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, giving up no hits and striking out two.
 
Chase Herb was a perfect 4-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs in the leadoff spot for Penn State Schuylkill. Owen Zimmerman was awarded the loss in 1.2 innings of work, allowing two earned runs on three hits.
 
The Monarchs will prepare for their MAC Freedom series with Arcadia University, traveling to Glenside, Pa. on Friday afternoon for game one. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.