NUTTER FORT, W.V. - A comeback victory in game one and a pair of lights-out pitching performances led the Mansfield University baseball team to a 3-2, 4-1 sweep over non-conference opponent Salem University on the road on Saturday afternoon, April 8.
The Mounties (8-19 overall) take the four-game series, 3-1, after splitting with the Tigers (14-20 overall) on Friday.
Game one was a pitcher's duel that didn't see its first score until the bottom of the fourth inning when Salem pushed a solo run across to take the lead.
However, the Mounties answered with two runs in their half of the fifth to take a 3-2 lead.
Brett Stewart drove in
Marcus Nales for the first run, before
Brittain Shander gave MU the lead with a sacrifice fly, plating
Ryan Scott.
Nales gave the Mounties a much-needed insurance run in the top of the sixth when he drove in
Shay Gustafson because the Tigers blasted a solo shot in the seventh, but reliever
Josh Colon shut the door from there to secure the victory.
Mountaineer starter
Ryan King earned his third victory on the season, limiting the Tigers to two runs on three hits in 6.1 innings, adding three strikeouts. Colon earned the save.
For the Tigers, Nathan Kuhn drove in both runs to lead the offense, while Keegan Oliver landed the loss in the circle, despite the quality start, lasting 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on four hits.
In game two,
Eric Gustofson earned his first victory of the season, tossing five shutout innings, allowing just two hits, while fanning seven Tigers. Colon took the rubber for the second time on the day, pitching the final two innings, allowing one run on two hits and striking out a pair.
The Mounties doubled the Tigers in hits in the nightcap (8-4), led by two hits and an RBI from both
Josh Farina and
Jacob Houtz. Farina added a triple and Houtz added a double.
The nightcap was again a pitcher's duel as neither team could find the scoreboard until the Mounties struck for four runs in the top of the sixth inning. Five Mounties recorded hits during the rally, while Scott, Farine,
Zachary Shertzer, and Houtz all drove in runs.
The Tigers lone run came in the bottom of the seventh inning.
NEXT UP
The Mounties have another non-conference series, set for Tuesday, April 11 when Slippery Rock University visits Joseph Shaute field for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.
