Grottoes, Va. - The Mounties claimed the rubber match of their weekend series with Mary Baldwin on Sunday, erupting for 15 runs in a wild 15-11 victory in Grottoes, Virginia. Despite being outhit 12-6 and committing four errors, Mount Aloysius used patience at the plate, aggressive baserunning, and a decisive seventh-inning outburst to secure the series win.
How It Happened; Early Deficit
Mary Baldwin jumped in front quickly, scoring once in the first and adding four runs off of Mountie starter junior Tyler Alexander (Portage, Pa., Portage) in the second to build a 5-0 advantage. A pair of RBI singles and a two-run double highlighted the early surge for the Fighting Squirrels.
The Mounties answered in the third. Senior Tyler Day (La Plata, Md., La Plata) scored on an RBI double by sophomore Trent Dickson (Reinholds, Pa., Cocalico ) to put Mount Aloysius on the board. Sophomore Andrew Scalia (Windber, Pa., Windber ) followed with a two-run single to cut the deficit to 5-3, and freshman Coy Martino (Punxsutawney, Pa., Punxsutawney) added a sacrifice fly to make it a one-run game at 5-4.
In the fourth, Dickson reached on an error that allowed senior Cole Harkness (Hughesville, Md., Saint Mary's Ryken) to score, evening the contest at 5-5.
Trading Punches
Mount Aloysius took its first lead in the fifth. Martino delivered an RBI single to score junior Owen McDermott (West Leechburg, Pa., Leechburg), and Harkness followed with a run-scoring single to make it 7-5.
Mary Baldwin responded with two unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to regain the lead at 8-7.
Seven-Run Seventh Breaks It Open
The Mounties flipped the game for good in the seventh inning, capitalizing on defensive miscues and multiple hit-by-pitches to plate seven runs.
The rally began when Martino reached on an error, allowing Scalia to score and tie the game. Harkness was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another run, and Tyler Day was plunked to bring home one more. Junior Sidric Grove (Clearville, Pa., Everett) drew an RBI walk, and moments later Grove stole home as part of a chaotic stretch that saw Mount Aloysius aggressively pressure the defense. Scalia added another RBI on a fielder's choice, and by the end of the frame, the Mounties had built a commanding 14-8 lead.
They tacked on one more in the eighth when Day doubled to right field to score sophomore Logan Quade (Mechanicsville, Md., Chopticon ), extending the advantage to 15-8.
Holding On Late
Mary Baldwin made one final push in the eighth, scoring three runs on a pair of doubles, but the Mounties' bullpen shut the door from there.
Junior Scott Ranallo (Pittsburgh, Pa., North Hills) earned the win in relief, striking out four over 2.2 innings. Junior Dawson Wetherald (Newburg, Md., Saint Mary's Ryken) closed out the final two innings, allowing just one hit and no runs to secure the victory.
Scalia led the way offensively with three RBIs, while Martino drove in three and scored twice. Dickson added two RBIs, and the Mounties drew 10 walks while being hit by four pitches, consistently finding ways to manufacture runs.
With the 15-11 triumph, Mount Aloysius secured the series victory and carried momentum into their next matchup which is this Wednesday at Shenandoah University (8-0). In the latest D3baseball poll, the Hornets received 23 votes to be ranked. First pitch on Wednesday will be at 3:30 pm at Kevin Anderson Field at Bridgeforth Stadium in Winchester, Va.
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