WILKES-BARRE, PA (April 23, 2023) -- Junior Chase Yochem recorded the 100^th hit of his career, while Will Hronich and Jeff Higgins combined for the shutout as the King's College baseball team defeated Penn State Hazleton, 15-0, on Sunday afternoon at Lipo Field. With the win in the non-conference contest, the Monarchs improve to 16-19, while the Nittany Lions drop to 13-22.
 
It was a thrilling start to the game as the Monarchs took a solid 5-0 lead after the first as the first four Monarchs that stepped up to the plate recorded a hit, including Yochem's milestone and a double from Zach Day. Jacob Sutton plated two with a double to left to round out the hits and give King's (16-19) the 5-0 early edge.
 
The Monarchs defense remained steady while the bats plated an extra run in the second thanks to a double from Yochem and a single from Day before tacking on two more in the third on a single from Sutton and a double from Yochem to push their lead to 8-0 through three innings of play.
 
Penn State Hazleton (13-22) would continue to strand runners while the King's offense thrived, adding another tally in the fourth behind a pair of hits from Michael Marmolejos and Brayden Schoonmaker to increase the advantage to 9-0.
 
After a quick sixth inning, the Monarchs made quick work of the Nittany Lions hitters in the top of the seventh, retiring all three batters faced, before King's exploded for six runs on seven hits in the bottom of the seventh. All but two King's batters that stepped to the plate in the frame recorded a hit to set up the walk-off single to right field from Caleb Graham as the Monarchs cruised to a 15-0 win in seven innings over Penn State Hazleton.
 
Four different Monarchs put up three hits in the win, led by a pair of 3-for-4 efforts with three RBIs and a run from both Quin Acchione and Sutton. Yochem went 3-for-5 with three runs, two doubles, and an RBI, while Day posted a 3-for-4 effort with a pair of runs and RBIs. Ciszak, Marmolejos, and Brennen Schneider also put up multi-hit games, with Ciszak scoring three. Higgins secured the win in 4.0 innings of relief, allowing just two hits while striking out three. Hronich threw well in the first 3.0 frames, also allowing just two hits.
 
Josh Robin led the Nittany Lions as he went 2-for-3 at the plate. Solomon Grant was awarded the loss as the starter in 2.0 innings of work, giving up five earned runs on seven hits.
 
King's will return to Lipo Field on Friday afternoon as they are set to host Delaware Valley University in game one of the MAC Freedom series. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m., and the Monarchs will be honoring their graduating members prior to the contest.