LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (March 31, 2009) – As the calendar turns to April, the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania baseball team has shown tremendous improvement from the beginning of the season. The Lions finished March by dropping a pair of games to Virginia State, 8-5 (BOXSCORE) and 10-0 (BOXSCORE) over the weekend in Petersburg.
However, the Lions battled and made the Trojans sweat in the opening game. Lincoln took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning. In that game, Melvin Robinson (Bear, DE/William Penn) continued his torrid hitting stretch by blasting his third home run (his second in three games) out of VSU's Colbert Field that had everybody in awe.
More impressive was the way the Lions erased VSU's 2-0 advantage. They scored five two-out runs highlighted by a Kyle Brooks (Baltimore, Md./Seton Hill HS) two-run double that tied the game and a three-run blast from Robinson that gave Lincoln a 5-2 advantage.
These represent significant steps forward for the Lions, who won once last season. Despite some large defeats this season, Lincoln has continued to battle, play hard, respect the game and make adjustments. When Lincoln and VSU met earlier in the season, the Trojans had their way by claiming a 17-3 victory.
Saturday was different as Lincoln gave itself a chance to win by playing solid baseball. Even in the second game, the Lions were doomed by one bad inning. VSU scored nine runs in the bottom of the third inning to take control. Omar Ongay (Wilmington, DE/Glasgow) had both of Lincoln's hits in the game.
The Lions enjoyed a competitive week, which was highlighted by Joe Kruemmer (Middletown, DE/Hodgson Vo-Tech) collecting his 100th career hit during a 16-6 defeat to Saint Augustine's last Thursday. Lincoln trailed the Falcons, 8-6 entering the top of the seventh inning.
“When we last played both Saint Augustine's College and Virginia State University, the games weren't even close as we were no hit twice against the Falcons and made seven errors against the Trojans,” first-year Lincoln coach Anthony Plá said. “When we played them for a second time, St. Aug's was only up by two runs in the top of the seventh and Virginia State struggled to get eight runs against us after trailing 5-2 in the fourth inning.”
Robinson paced Lincoln last week by batting .500 with two home runs and seven runs batted in. In addition, Kruemmer, Ongay and Absalom Lopez (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln) all had three hits over Lincoln's four games last week. Lopez also stole three bases last week to lead the Lions. Robinson had his five-game hit streak end in the second game against Virginia State. He has seven multi-hit games.
“Melvin has really stepped up as a leader on this team,” Plá said. “He usually keeps to himself but when it becomes game time, he really gets the team involved by using his ability on the field as a spark for the rest of the team. His swing has been coming along this season and it improves with every game. I think that he believes he can get better and has really committed himself to putting the extra effort in, and it shows.”
While Robinson is swinging a consistent bat, Kruemmer is beginning to warm-up at the plate. Battling a myriad of aches and bruises, Kruemmer is tied for third on the team in hits with 15. He has played every game this season. Ongay has won all three pitching decisions this season.
Through the month of March, Lincoln has six players with double digit hits. With just two away games remaining, Lincoln has an opportunity to add to its three wins. The players are excited and they have rewarded Plá with several inspired efforts. The final month should be one to enjoy as the Lions create more memories.
“There has been a lot of improvement by this team as every day it just seems to get better,” Plá said. “The players are starting to understand there mistakes and make mid-game adjustments which is what makes all of the difference. Each time we go out there, they know they can compete with other teams, especially in the CIAA.”
Lincoln hosts Shaw University Sunday afternoon in a doubleheader and then Penn State-Brandywine Monday afternoon in which the Lincoln Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will provide free hot dogs and beverages to all fans.
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