Cresson, PA- The Mount Aloysius Baseball team picked up two wins in thrilling fashion in their home opening doubleheader against Wilson College. Game 1 saw the Mounties win on a 2 run Home Run in the 7th from Matthew McCourt (Mullica Hill, NJ/St. Augustine Prep). Game 2 ended with a 4 run Mountie Rally in the 7th inning, culminating with a Daniel Singer (St. Mary's, PA/Elk County Catholic) game winning single.

Douglas Cannon (Valencia, PA/Mars Area) started the first game for the Mounties and fell behind early. He allowed 3 runs in the first two innings on all singles from the Phoenix batters. Cannon settled down, later in the game, throwing two shut down innings as the Mounties started a comeback attempt, but gave up an unearned run in the 5th to pick up a no decision. He finished his day with 4 innings pitched allowing 2 earned runs on 10 hits while striking out 3.

The Mounties were able to erase the early deficit in the 2nd. After Nicholas Belka (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) and Patrick Mahon (Pittsburgh, PA/Allegheny CC) reached base on a single and a walk, catcher Alan Mackey (Altoona, PA/Altoona) drove a line drive into right center for a run scoring double. A passed ball allowed Mahon to score the second run, and Mackey would score on a Tyler Suder (Boswell, PA/North Star) bloop single to right. Belka gave the Mounties the lead an inning later, driving a two out single up the middle to score Singer.

Nick Lagnese (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) entered the game in the 6th. He made quick work of the Phoenix in his first inning of work, and worked out of a jam in the 7th to set the stage for McCourt's heroics. Singer drew a lead off walk to start the inning and McCourt drove a line drive to over the center field wall at bat to win the game for the Mounties.

Lagnese picked up the win for the Mounties, moving his record to 1-2 on the year. Belka had the lone 2 hit game for the Mounties, while singer scored 2 runs.

The Mount Aloysius success continued in the early stages of Game 2 as they jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. In the first, Singer hit a double down the left field line to score the first run and then scored on a heads up base running play, tagging up on a pop up behind third base. In the second, the Phoenix were able to record 2 outs against the bottom third of the Mountie lineup, but were unable to close out the inning as 5 straight Mounties reached to expand their lead. The rally started when Jeremy Iellimo (Arnold, PA/Valley) hit a triple to right center. Iellimo scored 2 batters later on a McCourt single to left. The Mounties loaded the bases and Singer scored the 3rd run on a wild pitch. The rally was capped off when Belka drove in two runs with a double to the right center field gap.

Ryan McElwee (Centre Hall, PA/Penns Valley) started the game for the Mounties and had a strong 4 and 2/3 innings of work. He allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits, 2 walks and a hit batter. Luke Stultz (New Paris, PA/Chestnut Ridge) got a double play to end the 5th inning, but struggled in the 6th, allowing 3 runs to cut the lead to 1. The Mounties were able to push the lead to 2 on a Singer RBI single, but the Wilson bats continued the comeback in the top of the 7th, as they scored 5 runs off the Mountie bullpen.

Down 3 runs and headed into the final at bat, the Mounties used 5 hits in 6 batters to overcome the deficit and win the game. Douglas Smith (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) led off with a single, and Mahon followed suit with a hit of his own. After a fielder's choice, Andrew Pasko (Johnstown, PA/Richland) came through with a pinch hit single to score Smith. Iellimo followed that up with another triple to right field to tie the game at 11. With one out, Singer drove a single the other way into right field to bring Iellimo home and win the game for the Mounties.

Iellimo and Singer were the offensive heroes for the Mounties. Iellimo finished 4 for 5 with 4 runs scored and 3 RBIs. Singer went 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored 3 RBIs and a walk. Alex Arone (Homer City, PA/Homer Center) faced 1 batter in the 7th, got the batter to line into a double play. He picked up the win, moving him to 2-0 on the season.

The sweep moves the Mounties' record to 11-4 on the season. They are scheduled to travel to Winchester, VA on Thursday to play a nine inning game against Shenandoah University.