MANSFIELD, Pa. – The Lock Haven University baseball team (17-31) split a doubleheader on the road today at Mansfield University (21-27).

The Bald Eagles dropped game one, 17-4, as host-Mansfield scored its 17 runs off 17 hits.

LHU took game two of the twin bill, as The Haven edged MU 9-7 in eight innings.

Game two proved to be a memorable one for Bald Eagles fans, as LHU picked up an exciting win and saw a senior find his way in the career record books.

In game two today, senior Matt Palko (Freeland, Pa./Hazelton Area) hit the 20th home run of his career, breaking the Bald Eagles all-time home run record.

Palko came into today with 19 career home runs, which had him tied with two other former Bald Eagles in the record books.

It was the 10th jack of the season for Palko, who broke a record previously held by Grant Jackson (1995, & ’97-98) and Neil Emory (1988-91).

LHU went up early, tacking on two runs in the top half of the first inning, but MU fired right back and led 3-2 after one.

Lock Haven’s four runs came off eight hits and three different Bald Eagles recorded multiple hit games.

Evan Petro (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) led the way the plate with a perfect 2-for-2 outing.

Kevin Kochka (Norristown, Pa./Methacton) went 2-for-3 with a double.

Zach Schuler (Mt. Wolf, Pa./Spring Grove) had a solid 2-for-4 day hitting and chipped in with a double.

Lock Haven took game two 9-7, as LHU scored its nine runs on 12 hits, while picking up the win in extra innings.

A two-RBI single from Jordan Yohn (Three Springs, Pa./Souderton Huntingdon) in the top of the eighth inning proved to be the difference for LHU.

Five Bald Eagles had multiple hits games, including Palko, who was 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs.

Yohn was 2-for-5 with three RBIs.

Dan Knapp (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg Area) worked the final 3.1 innings to pick up the win. He gave up just one and hit and allowed only three walks, while striking out one.

Knapp didn’t allow a run.

The Bald Eagles are back in action on Friday (April 24) afternoon when they host Gannon University in their 2009 regular season finale. First pitch of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. Lock Haven is 9-11 in division action and needs two wins in the final four games with GU to qualify for the PSAC Playoffs. It would be the Bald Eagles first trip to the playoffs since 2002.