Cresson, PA - The Mount Aloysius Baseball team used two strong pitching performances to sweep the AMCC defending champions, La Roche. Ryan McElwee (Centre Hall, PA/Penns Valley) threw a complete game in the 7 inning contest, winning the game 7-3. In the 9 inning night cap, Douglas Cannon (Valencia, PA/Mars Area) went the distance as the Mounties won 5-3.

The Mounties got off to a slow start offensively in game one, as AMCC Pre-Season Pitcher of the Year Tre Thomas held them in check through 4 innings. In that time the Redhawks were able to build a 3-0 lead on an unearned run in the 2nd and two more on 3 hits in the 4th. After showing some life at the plate in the 4th, the Mounties were able to break through in the 5th. The Mounties used a two out rally to put up a 3 spot and tie the game. Daniel Singer (Saint Mary's, PA/Elk County Catholic) hit a one out single to center, and then scored two batters later when a high fly ball to left was dropped. Mount Aloysius took advantage after the error as Nicholas Belka (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) hit a line drive back up the middle that hit Thomas but stayed in the infield. After a wild pitch Douglas Smith (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) looped a single into right field to bring in 2 runs and tie the game. 

McElwee worked around 2 walks to keep the game tied and the give the Mounties the opportunity to go ahead. Jeremy Iellimo (Arnold, Pa/Valley) started the rally with a single to right and Singer drew a walk. Matthew McCourt (Mullica Hill, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) broke the tie as he drove a ball off the wall in left centerfield to score both runners. Belka drove McCourt in a batter later with an infield single to short, and scored when Smith singled through the right side and advanced to home when the right fielder had the single go under his glove. 

McElwee was able to get the first two batters of the inning with ease, but got into a slight jam when LaRoche hit a single and a double with two outs. He then got the final batter to hit a high fly ball to right that was caught for the final out. McElwee picked up his second win of the season along with recording his first career complete game. In the 7 innings pitched, McElwee allowed 2 earned runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 3. Belka finished the contest 3 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI while Singer and Smith also collected two hits a piece.

Game 2 saw Cannon take the mound and fall behind early as La Roche was able to score an unearned run in the opening frame. Sam Keibler (Kittaning, PA/Kittaning) tied the game an inning later as he hit a deep fly ball that sailed over the right field wall for a game tying home run. After Cannon threw a shutdown inning, the Mounties used some small ball to take the lead. Iellimo led the inning off with a single through the left side. He was sacrificed to 2nd by Singer and moved to 3rd on a ground out from McCourt. Keibler walked to set up a first and third situation with two outs. The Mounties executed a perfect double steal to take both 2nd base and home plate without a throw. Belka then came through with a two out single to center to drive in Keibler to give Mount Aloysius a two run lead. 

La Roche was able to pull one back in the 4th as they hit a lead off triple and scored a run on a sacrifice fly. The Mounties responded right away in the bottom half of the inning as they used more clutch, 2 out hitting to restore the 2 run lead. Smith reached on an error to start the inning and scored after back to back singles from Patrick Mahon (Pittsburgh, PA/Allegheny CC) and Iellimo. In the 6th, La Roche was able to push another run across with the help of a misplayed ball in the outfield, but Smith was able to get the run right back. Smith led off the 6th with a long home run to left field to restore the lead. The round tripper was the first home run in Smith's career. 

Cannon took things over from there as he allowed 1 runner to reach base on a walk in the final three innings. Cannon was very efficient in his outing, throwing well under 100 pitches in the complete game performance. It was the 2nd complete game of the season for Cannon who pushed his record to 3-0 on the year. The Mounties had a balanced offensive performance that saw Iellimo, Keibler, Belka, and Smith all record 2 hit games.

The sweep of La Roche moves the Mounties to the top of the AMCC standings with their 15-4 overall record and 4-0 record in conference play. Due to weather forecasts in Buffalo this weekend, the Mounties doubleheader against D'Youville has been altered. They will play the games this Saturday at home, but will play as the visiting team. Game time has not yet been decided, keep an eye on the team's schedule page and twitter feed, @MAC_Baseball for updates.