MANSFIELD – The Mountaineers rallied for six runs to take the opener 7-6, but came up just short in the nightcap 4-3 to split a PSAC East doubleheader with Millersville Monday afternoon at Shaute Field.
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Millersville (20-10, 8-3 PSAC East) opened the scoring with Jimmy Cain's two-run homer in the top of the first inning. However, the Mountaineers got one back in the bottom of the frame with
J.P. Bonanca driving in
Owen Lukens with an RBI single.
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The Marauders extended their lead to 6-1 with a run in the second and three more in the third.
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In the bottom of the fourth, Mansfield (8-15, 2-8 PSAC East) sparked a two-out, five-run rally to even the score at 6-6.
Dio Infante scored on a throwing error then
Camren Ney drove in a run with an RBI single to left field.
Colby Schearer plated a pair of runs with his single into the outfield and later scored on another fielding error.
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Schearer led off the bottom of the sixth with a single through the right side then moved over to third on a throwing error.
J.P. Bonanca's RBI ground out was enough to score Schearer for what would prove to be the game-winning run.
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In his first career start,
Bryce Zaparzynski went 6.0 innings with four earned runs on seven hits for the win.
Tyler Guidos shut down the opposition in the seventh, striking out all three batters for his second save of the season.
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In game two, Millersville again took an early lead on a two-run homer, this time off the bat of Dominic Hardaway.
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A Guidos sacrifice fly in the third inning to score
Jordan Cowen cut the Marauder lead to 2-1 before
Zach Merkle drilled a two-run homer to give Mansfield a 3-2 lead in the fourth.
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Millersville scored the tying run in the fifth inning and escaped a pair of bases-loaded jams. Bobby Dorta hit a lead-off solo home run in the top of the seventh to give the Marauders a 4-3 advantage. The Mountaineers were unable to find another rally.
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Mike Mock earned the win in relief, pitching 1.1 innings with four strikeouts. Guidos took the loss.
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Mansfield hosts Lock Haven at Shaute Field on Wednesday for more PSAC East action.
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