By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – An early 10-run first inning proved to be too much of a deficit for the Bellefonte baseball team could battle back from as they fell to Hollidaysburg Thursday at Governor’s Field.

The Red Raiders battled but could not catch the Tigers after that falling 13-3 in a 5-innings contest.

Playing their fifth game in a week, the Red Raiders ended their run posting a 4-1 mark putting their record at 5-5.

Picking up the win for the Tigers was Brady Steiner. Steiner went the distance scattering six hits allowing two runs while striking out four. He also had a good day offensively to help his own cause.

Hollidaysburg batters Josh Banks and Cayden Gibbons both hit solo homeruns on the afternoon.

Picking up multiple hits for the Tigers were Josh Banks (2-for-4 2runs, 2RBI), Robby Mullins  (2-for-3 run), Brady Steiner (3-for-3 3runs), Cole Hartman (2-for-4 run, RBI),  Ty Szynal (2-for-4 2RBIs run) and Jay Albarano (3-for-4 RBI, run).

“They hit the ball well. They hit the ball flat. I don’t think we gave them anything. They earned it. We gave some things but they made it hard for us,” said Bellefonte coach Jon Clark. “They capitalized on some mistakes we made. They put themselves in a good position to be successful by hitting the ball hard, waiting to see their pitch. Hats off to them they pounded the baseball today.”

Hollidaysburg was led by Steiner who went 3-for-3 with three runs.

In the first, Hollidaysburg struck right away. Teammate Jay Albarano also finished with three hits . The Tiger batter went 3-for-4 RBI and a run.

Trailing 10-0 going into the second, the Red Raiders got on the board for the first time.

Zach Lehman started off the second reaching on an error by the Tigers.

Parker Capperelle doubled to move Lehman up to third on the play.

Cody Houser reaches base on a Hollidaysburg miscue. On the play, both Lehman and Capperelle scored, cutting the Tigers lead to 10-2.

However, Hollidaysburg got one run back in the top of the third when Gibbons hit a shot with the wind behind his hit, scoring a solo shot, making it an 11-2 contest.

Bellefonte was held scoreless in the third.

Hollidaysburg added two more runs to its lead in the fourth.

Highlighting the inning was a homerun by Banks. The score would remain 13-2 going into the bottom of the fifth.

Bellefonte added a run in the fifth, pinch hitter Quinton Crouthamel roped a high flying double to start off the inning. Leadoff hitter Peyton Vancas advanced.

He later scored Crouthamel to third on a slapping single. On the play, Vancas moved up to second.

The Red Raiders’ C Auman came off the bench to pinch hit. He did not disappoint as he lifted a long fly ball into the outfield, allowing Crouthamel to score from third.

However, the Red Raiders fell a run short of advancing the game to the sixth inning as the team fell 13-3 in five.

Bellefonte will now get some rest as they will not be back in action until next Tuesday when the battle rival Bald Eagle Area.

Hollidaysburg 13, Bellefonte 3 (5 innings)

H 10 0 1 2 0 x x – 13 17 1

B   0 2 0 0 1 x x – 3    6 3

WP: Brady Steiner

LP: Zach Lehman

Multiple hitters: H –  Josh Banks 2-for-4 2runs, 2RBI, Robby Mullins  2-for-3 run, Brady Steiner 3-for-3 3runs,  Cole Hartman 2-for-4 run, RBI,  Ty Szynal 2-for-4 2RBIs run, Jay Albarano 3-for-4 RBI, run. B – None.

HR: H – Josh Banks, Cayden Gibbons. B – None.

3B: H – None. B – None.

2B: H – Cole Hartman, Steiner . B –   Parker Capperelle, Quinton Crouthamel.