Williamsport, PA - Despite overcoming an early deficit, the Mount Aloysius baseball team was outlasted by Penn College, as they lost 8-7 in 11 innings of play.
Ryan McElwee (Centre Hall, PA/Penn's Valley) started for the Mounties and was able to retire the side in the first. He ran into trouble in his second inning of work as the Wildcats strung together 4 hits and two free passes to score 4 runs in the inning. They were able to add to this in the 4th as they used a two out double followed by a single to push ahead 5-0. McElwee was removed after the 4th, allowing 5 earned runs on 6 hits and 4 walks.
The Mounties were able to get McElwee off the hook in the 5th, as they responded to score 5 runs and tie the game. After two quick outs, the next 6 Mounties reached base to score the 5 runs.
Trap Wentling (Greenville, PA/Greenville) started the rally when he was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a single from
Ryan Leonard (James Creek, Pa/Tussey Mountain).
Jeremy Iellimo (Arnold, PA/Valley Area) laced a 2 run double to center field, and scored on a
Daniel Singer (Saint Mary's, PA/Elk County Catholic) single to center.
Matthew McCourt (Mullica Hill, New Jersey/St. Augustine Prep) was the next Mountie to hop on the hit parade as he singled to left. The Penn College left fielder misplayed the ball on McCourt's single, which allowed Singer to score the 4th Mountie run and McCourt to move into scoring position. Finally
Sam Keibler (Kittaning, PA/Kittaning) singled to right to bring in McCourt and tie the game.
Alex Arone (Homer Ciy, PA/Homer Center) entered in the 5th, and was able to shut down the Wildcats, getting a fly out and two strikeouts. After the Mounties were unable to take advantage of the momentum in the 6th, Penn College responded as the leadoff batter doubled to center, and was followed by a walk and a bunt single.
Aaron Shinn (Woodbridge, PA/CD Hylton) entered with the bases loaded and no outs. He allowed a 2 RBI single to left, but then got two ground balls, a fielders choice and a double play to get out of the inning and limit the damage.
The Mounties pulled one run back in the 7th as Singer beat out an infield single and then scored on a McCourt RBI double to left. Shinn was able to get out of trouble again in the 7th after allowing a leadoff double, and then saw the Mounties build on their momentum to tie the game in the 8th. Shinn hit a one out single to left and after a walk and a bunt single loaded the bases, scored on an RBI walk by singer to tie the game at 7.
Shinn was able to hold the Wildcats scoreless for 3 more innings, however the Mounties were unable to score a run of their own to win the game. In the 11th, Shinn allowed the leadoff batter to single to left, and retired the next two, but was unable to close out the inning as the next three batters worked full count walks to score the winning run.
Shinn was given the loss after allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 5 walks in 5 and 2/3 innings. He struck out 6 batters. Singer, Leonard and Keibler all recorded 3-hit games for the Mounties, while McCourt finished with two.
The loss moves the Mounties to 23-9 on the season. They are scheduled to return to conference play over the weekend as they will take on Alfred State at home on Saturday with the doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM
