FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mounties Edged in Pair of One-Run Losses to Upper Iowa

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Mountaineer baseball was edged by one run in both ends of a doubleheader against Upper Iowa on Sunday at the Walter Fuller Complex, falling 5-4 in the opener before dropping game two 12-11.

Taylor Hillson went 4-for-7 on the day with four runs and an RBI while Westyn Baylor had two hits including a grand slam in the second game where he recorded six RBIs.

In the opener, Upper Iowa (2-2, 0-0 NSIC) started the scoring in the top of the third inning scoring four runs on five hits.

After two more scoreless innings, Hillson led off the bottom of the fifth with a single before Eric Schanzenbacher drew a walk. A fielding error allowed Baylor to load the bases before Anthony Renz cleared them with a three RBI double into the gap in right. Renz later scored on a Troy Wilson fielder's choice to tie the game at 4-4.

In the top of the sixth, Upper Iowa scored what proved to be the game-winning run when Mitch Moser drove in Eric Cottrell.

Dan Cwertniak earned the win allowing just one hit while striking out another in 2.1 innings. Zach Sacoman took the loss after giving up the go-ahead run.

In game two, Mansfield (0-4, 0-0 PSAC) wasted no time putting runs on the board. Hillson opened the game with a single up the middle before Schanzenbacher drew another base on balls. Baylor drove in two runs in the next at bat with his third triple of his career then scored himself on a wild pitch. A Renz walk and Owen Lukens one-out single put runners at first and second before Matt Kurelja's single brought home Renz. Two straight outs ended the half inning with Mansfield leading 4-0.

The Mountaineers lead was short-lived however as the Peacocks scored eight runs on five hits and an error in the bottom of the first to gain an 8-4 advantage.

In the top of the fourth, John Capwell drew a one-out walk then stole second. A Wes Custer single put runners on the corners before Hillson drew a walk to juice the bases. Facing two outs, Baylor crushed the ball over the fence in right field for a game-tying grand slam.

Upper Iowa responded in the bottom of the inning by scoring three runs on four hits to regain the lead at 11-8. The Peacocks added another run in the fifth inning.

Hillson led off the top of the sixth with a double then Schanzenbacher drew his third walk of the day. Baylor and Renz reached on back-to-back fielding errors that brought in Hillson. Jacob Molison drove in Schanzebacher in the next at bat to bring the Mounties' deficit down to 12-10.

Facing their final at bats in the top of the seventh, Kurelja started the inning by reaching on a hit by pitch. After a flyout, Wes Custer singled to put runners on the corners before Hillson's sac fly to center field scored pinch runner Eric Harms.

A come-from-behind victory for Mansfield was not in the cards as an infield fly ended the game and completed the sweep for Upper Iowa.

Blake Seehusen earned the victory on the mound, throwing 3.1 innings with three earned runs and four strikeouts. Chas Parsons took the loss for MU.

The Mountaineers take on West Chester tomorrow at 10 a.m. for a nine-inning game that does not count toward the PSAC East standings.