CORNING, N.Y. – Mansfield University baseball senior Samuel Freedman hit a grand slam to cap off a 12-8 victory over Gannon University in game one of a non-conference doubleheader at Corning Community College on Tuesday afternoon, April 5. The Mounties fell in the nightcap, 9-0.

After taking an 8-6 lead with two runs earlier in the fifth inning, Freedman blasted an opposite field homer with the bases juiced to extend the Mounties (11-15 overall) lead to 12-6, ultimately putting the game out of reach.

The Golden Knights (14-7 overall) scored two runs in the top of the sixth, but junior Josh Colon was able to shut the door in relief to seal the game-one victory for MU.

Freedman, who drove in five runs on the afternoon, hit his fourth home run of the year and his second big fly in as many games. Senior Assaf Lowengart scored twice and drove in a run to start the rally in the bottom of the sixth, while junior Brittain Shander reached base in all five at bats, adding a double and three runs scored.

Senior Brady Mengel opened the scoring for the Mountaineers in the bottom of the first inning, driving a clutch double down the left field line, plating two runs to give MU their first lead.

Sophomore Zachary Shertzer notched two hits and rounded out the group of Mounties that drove in runs with senior Ben Osborne.

Junior Scott Poulson gave the Mounties a quality start, throwing the first 3.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out one before giving the ball to freshman Jacob Houtz. Houtz was charged with three runs in 1.1 innings, before handing pitching duties over to Colon, who did not allow an earned run over the final 2.1 innings to earn his fourth victory in the circle.

In game two, the Golden Knights led from start to finish, scoring multiple runs in the first, sixth and seventh inning, while shutting out MU to earn the split.

Junior Todd Erney threw four-complete innings in his first start of the year, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits while striking out one in the losing effort. Mengel and senior Will Romano each tallied a hit and stolen base to lead the offense.

For Gannon, four pitchers combined for seven-scoreless innings, led by Kyle Borrello, who did not allow a hit in two innings of relief to earn the victory. Ian Hess drove in three runs and hit a home run to lead the offense.

The Mounties host Kutztown University in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division action at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa. on Friday, April 9.