The fourth-seeded Penn State Harrisburg Lions showed off their bats early and often on Thursday (May 9) to dominate Game One of the 2019 CAC Baseball Tournament Championship Series by a 19-8 margin over host Christopher Newport.

Penn State recorded five runs in the second, six in the third and three in the fourth to take a commanding 14-3 lead midway through the contest. CNU's Nick DiNapoli connected on a grand slam in the fifth to cut the deficit to 14-8 but the Lions proved to be too much and scored five times in the last three inning without allowing a run.

PSH sophomore center fielder Chase Smith led the Lions with three home runs as part of his 4-hit, 7 RBI performance to kick start the championship series. Smith recorded a 2-run home run in the third, a 3-run shot in the fourth and a solo blast down the left field line in the eighth inning. He also recorded his 100th career hit in the contest. 

Penn State leadoff hitter Miguel Torres contributed with a pair of hits and 4 RBI, while CAC Player of the Year Bret Williams tallied three hits on the afternoon, including a solo home run in the third inning. Third baseman Jackson Struve posted three hits, scored three runs and drove in three as part of the offensive onslaught. 

Game No. 2 of the 2019 CAC Baseball Championship Series will continue on Friday (May 10) at CNU with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. with the if necessary contest to follow, if needed.

2019 CAC Baseball Tournament Schedule
(all CAC Tournament games are 9 innings):

First Weekend – Two Three-Team Pods at No. 1 & No. 2 seeds

Pod A (1, 4, and 6 seeds) - at No. 1 Salisbury
Day 1 - Friday, May 3
Game 1 - #4 Penn State Harrisburg def. #6 Southern Virginia, 13-5 - BOX SCORE
Game 2 - #1 Salisbury def. #6 Southern Virginia, 6-2 - BOX SCORE
Game 3 - #4 Penn State Harrisburg def. #1 Salisbury, 5-0 - BOX SCORE

Day 2 - Saturday, May 4
Game 4 - #1 Salisbury def. #4 Penn State Harrisburg, 26-9
Game 5 - #4 Penn State Harrisburg def. #1 Salisbury, 10-5

Pod B (2, 3, and 5 seeds) - at No. 2 Christopher Newport
Day 1 - Friday, May 3
Game 1 - #5 Mary Washington def. #3 York (Pa.), 16-6 - BOX SCORE
Game 2 - #2 Christopher Newport def. #3 York (Pa.), 8-1 - BOX SCORE
Game 3 - #2 Christopher Newport def. #5 Mary Washington, 19-7 - BOX SCORE

Day 2 - Saturday, May 4
Game 4 - #2 Christopher Newport def. #5 Mary Washington, 11-4

Second Weekend - Best-of-Three Championship Series at highest remaining seed - at Christopher Newport University

Day 1 - Thursday, May 9
Game 1 - #4 Penn State Harrisburg def. #1 Christopher Newport, 19-8

Day 2 - Friday, May 10
Game 2 - #2 Christopher Newport vs. #4 Penn State Harrisburg, 11 a.m. 
Game 3 (if necessary) - Team 1 vs. Team 2, 2 p.m.