Grantham, PA - The Mount Aloysius baseball team fell to Messiah College in a slugfest on Tuesday afternoon. Despite holding a lead through the majority of the game, the Mounties saw their late inning pitchers struggle, as they fell by a score of 18-16.

The Mounties started off quickly as Jeremy Iellimo (Arnold, PA/Valley) started the game with a double to right. After Aaron Shinn (Woodbridge, VA/CD Hylton) dropped down a bunt single and advanced to second on a throw, the Mounties saw two RBI groundouts from Matthew McCourt (Mullica Hill, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) and Sam Keibler (Kittaning, PA/Kittaning) to go ahead 2-0. Starting pitcher Douglas Cannon (Valencia, PA/Mars Area) was unable to hold onto the lead as the Falcons struck back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. 

The Mounties were able to put up a big inning in the 3rd as they scored 5 runs in the frame. McCourt led the inning off with a single and moved to second on a Keibler walk. After a strikeout, Daniel Singer (Saint Mary's, PA/Elk County Catholic) drove a single to center to score the first run. The Mounties loaded the bases with a walk, and then scored 3 runs courtesy of a throwing error on a double play attempt. The final run of the inning scored when Iellimo singled through the left side. 

Mount Aloysius tacked on two more runs in the 4th. Keibler and Nicholas Belka (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) each singled to start the innng and Singer drew a walk to load the bases. Messiah was able to record an out on a fielders choice at the plate before Alan Mackey (Altoona, PA/Altoona) was hit by a pitch to bring in a run and pinch hitter Ryan Leonard (James Creek, PA/Tussey Mountain) drew another walk to score a second. In the bottom of the inning, the Mounties saw their lead disappear as a trio of pitchers allowed 6 runs to score on 4 hits, 3 walks and a hit batter. 

Mount Aloysius retook the lead in the 6th as Singer led off the inning with a double and scored 2 batters later on a sacrifice fly to center from Mackey. They added 3 more runs with a two out rally in the 7th. McCourt singled through the left side to start the inning and after 3 consecutive walks, Trap Wentling (Greenville, PA/Greenville) hit a single to right center to score 2 runs. Messiah was again able to counter immediately as they scored 3 of their own in the bottom of the 7th off of reliever Nick Lagnese (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin).

The bottom of the lineup was able to produce two more runs in the 8th to give the Mounties some breathing room. Mackey turned on an inside fastball to lead off the inning and drove a deep home run to left field. The round tripper was the first of Mackey's career. Leonard followed this up with a double to the right center gap. He would score on a balk after a sacrifice bunt moved him to third base. Again the Mountie bullpen could not hold the lead, as they allowed 6 runs in the 8th on 7 hits. The Mounties looked to rally in the final at bat, as they loaded the bases and scored a run on another walk, but the rally fell short as Iellimo flied out to center to end the game. 

Lagnese was tagged with the loss, moving his record to 1-3 on the season.  Singer was the offensive leader for the Mounties as he finished the game 4 for 4 with three runs scored. He also reached twice on walks. Iellimo and McCourt picked up three hits a piece and Mackey drove in 5 runs in the game.

The Mounties record is now 23-8. They will get right back to work on Wednesday as they travel to Williamsport, PA to take on Penn College. They will be playing under the lights at historic Bowman Field.