MANSFIELD – The 12th-ranked East Stroudsburg University baseball team made it 19 consecutive wins with a doubleheader sweep of Mansfield on Friday at Joseph Shaute Field, winning game one, 17-0, before rallying to take game two, 8-7.
ESU continued to extend the program-record win streak that started back on February 18 as the Warriors improved to 22-3 overall and 10-0 in the PSAC East.
In game one's victory over the Mounties (7-16, 3-11), ESU raced out to an early 4-0 lead before plating a combined 13 runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings for a 17-0 dominate win.
In the nightcap, Mansfield held a 7-4 lead until the Warriors scored four runs over the final two innings to post an 8-7 come-from-behind win.
ESU has now defeated Mansfield in the last six meetings and continued to dominate the series of late as the Warriors own a 39-9 record over the Mounties dating back to 2011.
Batting Notables
- Catching both games of the doubleheader, redshirt senior Tim Haverstick went 4-for-5 with three walks, three RBI and two runs scored
- In the series opener, reigning PSAC East Athlete of the Week Parker Frey finished 3-for-3 with a grand slam, five RBI and three runs
- On the day, sophomore Shanley Wall was 2-for-6 with his second home run of the year, two walks, four RBI, three runs and was credited with the game-winning RBI in game two
- Serving as the designated hitter in both games, Cameron Hubbard went 3-for-7 with his first home run of the season, two walks, one RBI and five runs scored
- Jack Rothenhausler extended his hit streak to 11 games as the junior was 2-for-5 with three walks and two runs
- Redshirt freshman Chaise Albus worked four walks and scored four runs, while freshman Jack Mathis recorded his first career RBI
- Seniors Mike Kelly and Jeremy Piatkiewicz each had three RBI across the twin bill
- Across both games of the doubleheader, ESU combined to manufacture 24 walks, including 14 in the series opener which is tied for the second most all-time dating back to 2003
Pitching Notables
- Brent Francisco twirled another gem in the opener to move to a perfect 6-0 on the year as the redshirt senior pitched 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out four Mounties
- It marked the 24th win of Francisco's career, who is now three victories away from tying the school record of 27 held by former teammate Chase Nowak. The Burlington Township, N.J. native continued his pursuit of the all-time strikeouts record as Francisco's 288 career punchouts trail Nowak (302) by 14 for the program high.
- In game one, redshirt sophomore Quinn Warmkessel worked around three hits to maintain the shutout in the sixth inning, while freshman Ryan Iberer struck out a pair in his collegiate debut
- Junior Caden Parker (1-0) was the winning pitcher in game two after throwing two scoreless frames
- Making his first career start, freshman Carson Renner yielded five runs (one earned) in 2.2 innings pitched
How it Happened – ESU 17, Manfield 0 (Game One)
ESU continued to jump on their opponents in the first inning as the Warriors scored four two-out runs on two hits to take an early 4-0 lead. Frey drove in the game's first run as the redshirt sophomore beat out an infield single and Haverstick followed with a two-run double to center field. With the bases loaded for Piatkiewicz, the senior worked a six-pitch walk to drive in the fourth run.
In the top of the third inning, ESU added three runs on three hits to extend the edge to 7-0 over Mansfield. With no outs and the bases loaded, Zampella roped a double to deep left field to plate a pair and Kelly followed with an RBI groundout to give the Warriors a seven-run lead.
The Warriors added one more run in the top of the fourth inning when Hubbard led off the frame with a solo home run to left field to make the score 8-0 in favor of ESU.
ESU put the game out of reach in the top of the fifth inning as the Warriors tacked on eight runs using four hits and two Mansfield errors to stretch their advantage to 16-0. Frey highlighted the inning with a grand slam to right center field while Kelly (2), Wall and Piatkiewicz each drove in at least one run.
ESU manufactured a two-out rally in the top of the sixth inning to plate one final run as back-to-back walks to Albus and Reilly, followed by a passed ball, allowed Mathis to collect his first career RBI on a single.
How it Happened – ESU 8, Mansfield 7 (Game Two)
The Warriors hung another crooked number in the top of the first inning of game two as ESU scratched across four runs on two hits and a Mounties' error. With the bases loaded and one out, Haverstick collected an RBI on a free pass and Houck followed with a two-run single through the left side to make the score 3-0. After Mansfield recorded the second out, a groundball hit by Piatkiewicz to the second baseman was misplayed which allowed another run to cross.
Mansfield answered with one in the bottom half of the inning as Zachary Shertzer doubled down the right field line to score Ryan Scott, who led off with a walk.
The Mounties continued to battle back in the home half of the third inning as they scored five runs on four hits to take their first lead of the series at 6-4. Jacob Hout cut the deficit in half with a sacrifice fly until Ryan Verbonitz and Ryan Sekulski delivered RBI base hits to even the score. Jeffery Coakley capped off the frame with a two-run single up the middle to put Mansfield ahead.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Mansfield extended their lead to 7-4 as Cole Serfass came around to score following a leadoff walk. Serfass stole second, advanced to third on a base hit and raced home an RBI groundout from Sekulski.
ESU wouldn't go down without a fight as the Warriors scored three two-out runs in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at 7-7. Wall drew ESU within one following a two-run home run to right field and after Hubbard reached on an error and advanced to second, the redshirt junior scampered home on an RBI single by Rothenhausler.
Despite not recording a hit in their final at-bats, the Warriors manufactured one run using two walks and a hit by pitch to regain an 8-7 lead. Albus worked a free pass to lead off the inning, Piatkiewicz followed with getting hit by a pitch and Frey walked to set up Wall for the game-winning RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field.
Up Next
ESU and Mansfield conclude the PSAC East series tomorrow with a twin bill at Creekview Park scheduled to get underway at 1 p.m.
