Box Score (Game 1)  |  Box Score (Game 2)

ABERDEEN, Md. – Senior catcher Steven Zimmerman, Jr. had three hits, including a go-ahead solo home run in the sixth inning of Game 1, as East Stroudsburg University and Pitt-Johnstown split a doubleheader on Saturday. The Warriors took the opener by a 6-5 final before falling 9-8 in eight innings in the nightcap.

Senior 1B Laine Renaud added four hits and two RBIs on the day for ESU (7-6), while freshman 2B Brainy Rojas supplied four runs scored and a stolen base.

The Warriors held a 5-1 advantage after four innings in Game 1, but the Mountain Cats (3-8) scored once in the fifth and three times in the top half of the sixth to level up the score.

Zimmerman quickly restored ESU's lead with one out in the bottom of the sixth, as he drove the first pitch he saw over the wall in left-center. The home run was the 18th of his collegiate career, moving him within one of Chris Knott (2011-14) for a share of the all-time program record.

Zimmerman's long ball also made a winner out of redshirt freshman RHP Nate Fiala (3-0) on the mound after he retired the final two batters in the top of the inning. Sophomore RHP Evan Steele struck out one in a 1-2-3 seventh inning to secure his first save of the season.

Renaud, Zimmerman and freshman 3B Brock Kauffman each had two hits and an RBI for the Warriors in Game 1, while redshirt juniors Christian Rishel and PJ Van Orman also drove in runs.

UPJ jumped out to an 8-3 lead in Game 2, with a majority of the damage done in a five-run top of the fourth. The Warriors reduced the deficit down to two with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, and they tied the game in the sixth on an RBI double by junior OF Zarley Cina and a sacrifice fly by Zimmerman.

That remained the score until the eighth, when Zach Zinn hit a leadoff homer to left to put the Mountain Cats back in front. UPJ's Dylan Heid retired the Warriors in order in the bottom half to finish off the contest.

Sophomore SS Joey Paolini belted his third homer of the season as part of a 2 for 4 game at the plate. Rojas reached base three times, going 1 for 2 with two walks, while Cina went 2 for 5 with two RBIs from the leadoff position. Redshirt senior LHP Mike Pepio worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out two while surrendering two hits and three walks.

ESU is scheduled to return to action Tuesday afternoon at USciences, with opening pitch set for 3 p.m.