Altoona, PA - The Mount Aloysius Baseball team split an AMCC doubleheader against Penn State Altoona on Wednesday afternoon. Despite leading for the majority of game 1, the Mounties allowed a 3 run, game winning double in the 7th to lose game 1 6-5. They responded to the tough loss in the first game with a 6-1 victory in the nightcap.

The Mounties kicked things off early as they were able to push a run across in the first frame. Matthew McCourt (Mullica Hill, NJ/St. Augustine Prep) drilled a double to deep right field with two outs, and came around to score as first baseman Sam Keibler (Kittaning, PA/Kittaning) singled through the right side of the infield. Penn State Altoona scored next, as they put up two runs in the bottom of the third off starting pitcher Ryan McElwee (Centre Hall, PA/Penn's Valley). The used a home run and singles sandwiched around a force out to take a 2-1 lead.

Mount Aloysius responded immediately in the 4th inning. Nicholas Belka (Freehold, NJ/Freehold) singled through the right side, Douglas Smith (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) drove a hit to right and Aaron Shinn (Woodbridge, VA/CD Hylton) dropped down a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Designated hitter Matthew Brown (Hustontown, PA/Forbes Road) brought in the first run of the inning when a grounder up the middle was knocked down on a diving play, allowing Altoona to force the runner at second. Ryan Leonard (James Creek, PA/Tussey Mountain) then laid down a squeeze bunt to give the Mounties a 3-2 lead.

McElwee allowed the first two runners to reach base in the bottom of the 4th, but wriggled his way out of the jam with a pop up, strikeout and fly out to left to keep the Mounties ahead. His offense rewarded him for the shutdown inning with 2 more runs in the 5th. Daniel Singer (Saint Mary's, PA/Elk County Catholic) beat out a leadoff single and then scored two batters later when Keibler drilled a no-doubter to deep right field to put the Mounties up 5-2.

The Mounties were unable to add to their lead after the home run, which allowed the Lions to make their comeback. They cut the lead to 2 in the bottom of the 6th, using 4 hits to score a run. In the final at bat, McElwee got the first two batters to hit ground balls, however the second was booted by McCourt at shortstop. Penn State Altoona took advantage as the next batter singled up the middle to bring the tying run to the plate. McElwee was able to get the next batter swinging, but after a long at bat walked the bases loaded. With two down, the Lions again put together a long at bat against McElwee to get to a full count. With the runners moving on the pitch they hit a double to the right center field gap which saw all three runners score, with the winning run just beating the relay throw at the plate.

McElwee finished his day allowing 6 runs, 3 earned, in 6 and 2/3 innings of work. He allowed 11 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 6 batters. The loss moves his record to 3-1 on the season. McCourt and Smith both finished the game 2 for 3  with a run scored, while Keibler finished 2 for 4 with the home run and 3 RBIs.

After the tough loss, the Mounties needed to come back strong in the 9 inning contest, and they did so behind a dominant pitching performance by Douglas Cannon (Valencia, PA/Mars Area). Cannon threw a complete game and allowed 4 hits, with one of them being a solo home run with 2 down in the 9th inning. Cannon walked 1 batter and struck out two, but was able to put up zero after zero as his offense slowly built a lead.

The Mounties offense was unable to score in their first two at bats but broke through in the 3rd. McCourt drilled a long solo home run to left center to open the scoring with two outs in the inning. The Mounties then tacked on another run in the 4th. Smith drew a 1 out walk, and then was replaced on the base paths by Shinn on a fielder's choice. With two outs pinch hitter Andrew Pasko (Johnstown, PA/Richland) hit a double to right field to move Shinn around the bases and double the Mountie lead.

Both teams remained quiet for the next 4 innings, until the Mountie offense exploded for 4 in the 9th. Patrick Mahon (Pittsburgh, PA/Allegheny CC) drew a lead off walk and then moved to second on a catcher's interference. Singer singled through the left side to score Mahon, which brought McCourt back to the plate. McCourt tattooed a pitch to deep left field that can be seen in the video above. The smash brought in 3 runs, was the 41st of McCourt's career and put the Mounties up 6-0.

Despite losing his shutout in the 9th inning, Cannon finished the complete game allowing 4 hits, 1 walk and home run. The win moved his record to 5-2 on the season. McCourt went 2-2 with 2 walks, 2 home runs and 4 RBIs. Smith finished the game 3 for 4 while Shinn also pitched in with 2 hits. 

The Mounties are now 25-11 this season with a 12-4 record in conference play. They currently sit in 2nd place in the AMCC, two games behind LaRoche University. They will finish their AMCC regular season slate with a huge doubleheader against Penn State Behrend. First pitch for game 1 is set for 1:00 PM on Saturday afternoon.