EAST STROUDSBURG – The East Stroudsburg University baseball team collected a pair of impressive victories on Sunday afternoon as the Warriors took both games of the doubleheader from ninth-ranked Southern New Hampshire at Creekview Park.
The Warriors (11-2), who extended their winning streak to nine games, plated three runs in the fourth inning of the opener to secure the 4-1 victory before scoring five unanswered runs in game two to take down the Penmen (7-2) by a final score of 5-3.
In game one,
Chase Nowak (3-1) was brilliant as the graduate student twirled a complete game (7.0 innings), allowing one run on four hits while striking out four. The Wilkes-Barre native totaled the 238th punchout in his career which tied the program record held by Jeremy Gigliotti (2007-11).
ESU ran all over the Penmen in the second game of the twin bill, recording 13 stolen bases which is the most in a single-game dating back to 2003.
Notables
- Sophomore Jack Rothenhausler went 3-for-7 with a double, three runs batted in, and two runs scored to lead ESU offensively
- Five different Warriors recorded two hits including junior Ben Piripavel (2-for-7, two stolen bases, one run, one walk), graduate student Victor Cruz (2-for-6, two RBI, one stolen base), Matt Ervolina (2-for-8, two stolen bases, one run), Mike Kelly (2-for-6, one RBI, two stolen bases) and Cameron Hubbard (2-for-8, two runs, two stolen bases)
- Catching all nine innings in game two, freshman Connor Reilly was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and stolen bases a piece, while redshirt sophomore Colin Houck went 1-for-2 with a double and RBI after coming on as pinch hitter.
- Nick McAuliffe (1-1) collected his first victory wearing the red and black in game two as the junior was nearly unhittable in 4.0 innings of relief, surrendering two base runners (one hit, one walk) while striking out five. Tom Reisinger earned the no-decision after pitching 5.0 innings, yielding three runs on five hits to go along with seven strikeouts.
- Collecting his 22nd career victory, Nowak (22-7) is two wins away from surpassing former ESU standout and current Seattle Mariners reliever Matt Festa (23-7, 2014-16).
- With 15 more stolen bases today, the Warriors bring their season total to 59 while opponents have only swiped six bags. ESU entered the day ranked sixth in NCAA Division II. Collecting stolen bases for the Warriors was Piatkiewicz (3), Piripavel (2), Ervolina (2), Hubbard (2), Reilly (2), Kelly (2), Rothenhausler (1) and Cruz (1).
- In this week's NCBWA Atlantic Region Poll, the Warriors remained at No. 3 and were still receiving votes in Wednesday's NCBWA Top 25
How it Happened – Game One (ESU 4, Southern New Hampshire 1)
The Warriors put together a two-out rally in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead over the Penmen. Hubbard singled to right field and stole second before coming around to score on a single from Rothenhausler for the game's first run.
Southern New Hampshire responded in the top of the third inning with a run to tie the score at 1-1. With two outs, Danniel Rivera worked a walk before racing home on a double from Christian Mercedes, that ultimately dropped in right field after getting lost in the sun.
ESU put the game out of reach in the home half of the fourth inning, using four hits to plate three runs to go back in front, 4-1. Hubbard got the Warriors started with a single and stole second base before coming around to score on an RBI single from Rothenhausler to put ESU ahead, 2-1. After Frey singled and a sacrifice bunt from Piatkiewicz, Cruz drove in a pair on a base hit up the middle to give ESU a three-run cushion.
How it Happened – Game Two (ESU 5, Southern New Hampshire 3)
With one out in the top of the fourth inning, the Penmen grabbed a 2-0 lead as Nick Schwartz delivered a two-run blast to left field following a walk from Michael LaRocca. Southern New Hampshire would add to their advantage as Cam Caraher singled, stole second and third, before racing home on a strikeout in which the Warriors had record the putout at first base.
ESU chipped away at their deficit in home half of the inning as the Warriors took advantage of a leadoff double from Rothenhausler to make the score 3-1. After swiping third, the sophomore crossed home plate on an RBI single from Piatkiewicz that dropped in center field.
The Warriors took advantage of back-to-back singles to begin the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game at 3-3. Piripavel and Ervolina both had base hits before recording a successful double steal which set up Rothenhausler, who produced an RBI ground to make the score 3-2. Then with Ervolina on third, the sophomore raced home following a wild pitch to even it up.
With one out and Piatkiewicz on second, Houck produced a double that clipped the chalk going down the right field line to give the Warriors their first lead in game two at 4-3. The hitting continued the next batter as Kelly singled through the left side, which brought home pinch runner
Jack Gensemer to make the score 5-3 in favor of ESU.
Up Next
The Warriors close out the three-game series against No. 9 New Hampshire tomorrow morning with a single nine-inning game beginning at 11 a.m. from Creekview Park
