Emory, VA - The Mount Aloysius Baseball team staged a late 9th inning rally in a rescheduled game against Emory & Henry on Thursday, but their comeback effort fell just short. After being down 9 runs heading to the 9th inning, the Mounties put up a 6 spot in the frame and finished the inning with the tying run on first base.
Dylan Coyle (Canonsburg, PA/Canon-McMillan) started against for the Wasps for the second time this season. Despite having some success in his first start, Coyle did not fare as well in his second try as he allowed 5 earned runs in 3 and 2/3 innings.
Alex Arone (Homer City, Pa/Homer-Center) replaced Coyle in the 4th, and allowed 3 runs, 2 of them earned, in 2 and 1/3 innings pitched. Freshman
Jake Kost (La Plata, MD/Saint Mary's Ryken) pitched the 7th and allowed 1 run to score and
Austin Steedle (Gibsonia, PA/Hampton) pitched a 1-2-3 8th to set the stage for the Mountie rally.
The Mounties scattered 8 hits throughout the first 8 at bats of the game, but were unable to string anything together until the 9th.
Andrew Pasko (Johnstown, PA/Richland) led off the inning with a double to right center. After a ground out, 8 consecutive Mounties came to the plate and reached base.
Trap Wentling (Greenville, PA/Greenville) doubled Pasko home to start the run and was quickly driven in by
Jeremy Iellimo (Arnold, PA/Valley) on a single to right.
Ryan Leonard (James Creek, PA/Tussey Mountain) singled and
Sam Keibler (Kittaning, PA/Kittaning) walked to load the bases.
Matthew Brown (Hustontown, PA/Forbes Road singled to right to drive in two runs and the following two batters,
James Rice (Leechburg, PA/Greensburg Central Catholic) and
Trevor Miller (Pittsburgh, PA/Penn Hills) walked to load the bases once more. Pasko came through again, as he drove a single up the middle to score one run and put the tying run on first base, however pinch hitter
Patrick Mahon (Pittsburgh, PA/Allegheny CC) sharply hit into a game ending double play.
The Mounties collected 14 hits in the contest, with 5 different players recording multiple hit games. The top offensive performances went to Brown and Pasko. Brown went 2 for 5, scored 1 run and drove in 2. Pasko, who entered the game as a pinch hitter in the 9th, collected 2 hits in his 2 at bats in the inning while scoring 1 run and driving in another.
The loss moves the Mounties record to 7-4. They are scheduled to return to action this Sunday, when they will travel to Thiel College for a doubleheader starting at 1:00 PM.
