MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Hood College improved to 3-1 on the season, defeating Penn State Berks in a pitchers' duel before outslugging Valley Forge.

The Blazers took down the Nittany Lions 2-1 and knocked off the Patriots 17-7.

HOOD 2, PENN STATE BERKS 1

Jake Franke (Lisbon, Md. / Glenelg) was almost flawless in his college debut, as Hood picked up its second win with a 2-1 victory over Penn St.-Berks. 

Franke went 7.1 innings and allowed just two hits and an unearned run. Michael Hernandez (Lancaster, Pa. / Hempfield) picked up the save with 1.2 innings of hitless baseball.

Chris Shriver (Frederick, Md. / Gov. Thomas Johnson) had the big hit for the offense with a two-run double that proved to be all the offense the Blazers would need. 

HOOD 17, VALLEY FORGE 7

Hood batted around in the first inning and never looked back to take out Valley Forge 17-7.

Matt Tonkavitch (Clinton, Md. / St. Mary's Ryken) went 3-for-5 in the game. Sean Counterman (Manchester, Md. / Manchester Valley) reached base in all three of his plate appearances with two hits and a walk. Alex Peters (Bel Air, Md. / Patterson Mill) went 2-for-4 with a triple.

Jackson Slotterback (Arnold, Md. / St. Mary's) picked up the win with two scoreless innings on the mound.

Hood begins Commonwealth Conference play with a three-game series against Aradia in Myrtle Beach on March 13-14.