EAST STROUDSBURG – The East Stroudsburg University baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader with Millersville, winning the opener 7-5 before dropping the series finale 7-6 in nine innings on Saturday afternoon at Creekview Park.
The Warriors move to 22-8 on the season and 5-4 in the PSAC East while the Marauders sit at 22-6 overall and 8-1 at top of the conference standings.
ESU totaled 23 total hits in the twin bill, including nine that went for extra bases. In game two, the Marauders recorded 17 hits while the Warriors had 11.
In the opener, the Warriors jumped on Millersville early with six runs through the first three innings. The Marauders would claw their way back, but ESU would hang on for the 7-5 victory to set up the rubber match.
Tom Reisinger collected his fourth win of the season after throwing 5.0 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits to go with nine strikeouts. Mike Yates picked up his second save after allowing one hit in the final inning.
It was back and forth in the series finale as the teams combined for 13 runs on 28 hits. Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth, the Warriors plated four runs on four hits to grab a 6-4 lead. However, the Marauders scored four unanswered runs over the next three innings, to go back ahead 7-6 and ultimately hold on for the series win.
Out of the leadoff spot, Brainy Rojas finished the day 4-for-7, which included his third home run of the season as well as a program record tying two walks and four RBI. Helping turn the lineup over, Jeremy Piatkiewicz went 4-for-7 with two doubles, three RBI, two runs a stolen base.
Jack Rothenhausler contributed four hits, which included three doubles while Brock Kauffman totaled three hits and three runs scored.
Notables
- Kauffman sits at 142 career RBI which is five shy of setting the school record initially held by Chris Knott (2011-14) with 146
- Rojas collected his 109th career walk in game two which moved him into a tie for the program record with Ian Allen (2014-17). Rojas also remained ranked eighth all-time in career runs with 137.
- The Warriors were limited to just two stolen bases on the afternoon to bring their season total to 76 which ranks 10th in all of NCAA DII
- Head Coach John Kochmansky continues to eye his 400th career win after picking up No. 391 in the opener
How it Happened – Game One
With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, the Warriors strung together four consecutive hits to grab a 3-0 lead. CJ Peechatka got the rally started with a triple to center field before a single over the shortstops head from Anthony Torreullas got ESU on the board. Kauffman followed with a double that got caught in the swirling winds to make the score 2-0 and Rothenhausler capped the inning with an RBI single.
Following a one-out double from Piatkiewicz, Rojas punched the balled into left field to bring home the run and make the score 4-0 in favor of ESU after the second inning.
Millersville took advantage of an ESU error in the top of the third inning to cut the Warriors' advantage to 4-1. With runners on first and second, ESU was turning a double play ball when the throw to first bounced wide, allowing Tyler Wright to race home after working a one-out walk.
The Warriors got two runs back on four hits in the home half of the inning to push their lead to 6-1. Kauffman led off with a single and Rothehausler doubled to put runners in scoring position for Haverstick, who singled home a run. With one out, Piatkiewicz delivered a base knock to put the ESU ahead by five.
ESU tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning as Peechatka delivered a bases loaded sacrifice fly to right field which plated Cooper Gehring to make the game 7-1.
The Marauders used a single and a walk to open the top of the sixth as they scored their second run of the game but still trailed the Warriors, 7-2.
Down to their last at-bats, Millersville added three runs on three hits to make the final score 7-5 in favor of the Warriors. Yates relived Jack Nielson after four batters and recorded the final three outs for the save.
How it Happened – Game Two
The Warriors struck first in the bottom of the second as Kauffman came around to give ESU a 1-0 lead following a single to lead off the inning. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, Kauffman would then score on Drew Hefner's RBI single through the right side. With two outs, Piatkiewicz brought home Hefner on a double to make the score 2-0.
Millersville answered in a big way in the top of the third inning as they scored three runs on five hits to grab a 3-2 advantage. The Marauders used five singles which included four that rolled through either side of the infield.
ESU responded in the home half of the fourth inning with four runs on four hits to go back in front 6-3. With one out, Hefner worked a walk and Cruz singled to set up Piatkiewicz, who produced a base hit up the middle tie the game 3-3. With Rojas due up next, the redshirt senior launched the third pitch he saw over the left field fence to regain the lead for the Warriors.
The Marauders got one run back in the top of the fifth as Jimmy Losh led off the inning with a solo blast to right field to make the score at 6-4.
With two outs in top of the sixth inning, Cole Houser doubled down the left field line before coming around to score on a single from Tyler Wright to get Millersville within one run at 6-5.
In the top of the seventh, the first five Millersville hitter singled to lead off the inning. Luke Trainer brought home the tying run and Pete Vaccaro plated the game-winning run.
Up Next
ESU is back at Creekview Park on Tuesday for a non-conference game against Molloy at 3 p.m.
