The Bearcats split a doubleheader against Penn State-Altoona, played at Seton Hill University.

In the day's opener, SVC used a big third inning to break open a close ballgame, as the Bearcats won 8-4.  PSU-Altoona came from behind in the nightcap to earn the split, defeating SVC 9-7.

PSU-Altoona got on the board first in the opener, with a homer from Tony Petulla putting the Lions up 1-0.

The Bearcats answered back in the bottom half of the frame.  Sam Manna started things with a walk, stole second base, and then scored on a Mike Adams then single. Adams then took second on an errant pick off throw, and was plated two batters later on a Mike Christiansen single, putting the Bearcats up 2-1.

PSU-Altoona tied it up in the top of the second, on a homer from Tyler Stiffler, but SVC regained the lead in the bottom of the frame when Chris Zampogna, who singled to lead off the inning, was driven in by another single from Adams. 

The Bearcats struck for four more runs in the fourth inning, with the big blast being a three-run homer to left field by Mark Shouey. SVC then scored its final run of the day in the fifth, after Zampogna, who reached on a single, scored on another one-base hit from Sam Manna.

Jared Lapkowicz started on the mound and got the win for the Bearcats, as the lefty scattered six hits over five innings while striking out seven.  Ben Smith worked in relief, throwing a pair of innings and surrendering one run while striking out two.

Adams led the way offensively for SVC, going 3-3 with two RBI's while scoring a pair of runs.  Zampogna had two hits in three at bats in the opener, while scoring three runs.  

Stiffler added a fifth inning solo shot to his first long ball of the day, and finished 2-3 with two RBI's to lead the Lions.  Zach Darling started on the mound and was sidled with the loss.

The Bearcats cracked the scoreboard in the second inning of the nightcap.  Kenny Primeaux was hit by a pitch, and was followed by Dan Bryan, who reached on an error by the second baseman.  Brandon Eberle followed with a shot that was mishandled by the shortstop, scoring Primeaux and putting the Bearcats on the board.  Anthony Mattei then laced a single to left field, scoring Bryan putting the Bearcats up 2-0.  

Saint Vincent went ahead 3-0 in the bottom of the third on an RBI ground out by Primeaux, but the Lions struck for four runs in both the fifth inning to take the one-run lead.

The Bearcats tied it in their half of the fifth, after Shouey, who led the frame off with a double, scored on a a Primeaux single. The Lions, however, scored four more times in the top of the sixth and once in the seventh to go up 9-4.

SVC refused to go quietly in the bottom of the seventh.  Christiansen led off with a walk, and was followed by a Primeaux double.  Dan Bryan then knocked an RBI single through the left side.  Two batters later, Zampogna singled in two runs to make the score 9-7, but it was as close as the Bearcats could come.

Primeaux finished the nightcap 2-3 at the plate with two RBIs, while Zampogna was a perfect 3-3. 

Rob Patula started on the hill and took the loss for the Bearcats, working 5 1/3 innings and giving up seven runs while striking out eight. 

After the doubleheader, SVC's record stands at 7-6.  They will return to action on Saturday, traveling to Presidents' Athletic Conference foe Washington & Jefferson for a doubleheader starting at noon.

PHOTO (By Jordan Bishop): SVC's Rob Patula works through the snowflakes against Penn State-Altoona