SLIPPERY ROCK – Down 5-1 and with their final out looming, the 18th-ranked East Stroudsburg University baseball team scored five runs, capped off by
Cameron Hubbard scampering home on a wild pitch, as the Warriors pulled out a 6-5 come-from-behind victory over IUP on the second day of the PSAC Tournament on Friday at Jack Critchfield Park.
The Warriors, who are now one win away from tying the single-season record after improving to 40-10, erased a five-run deficit for the second straight day following yesterday's win against Slippery Rock.
ESU's comeback bid began when senior
Jeremy Piatkiewicz, down to his final strike, laced a run-scoring double down the left-field line to cut IUP's lead to 5-2. After a wild pitch moved him over, senior
Mike Kelly beat out an infield single to drive in another run to keep the Warriors' hopes alive.
Following a hit by pitch to
Shanley Wall and a walk to Hubbard, junior
Jack Rothenhausler connected for a game-tying two-run double, leveling the score at 5-5. Then, on the first pitch of
Parker Frey's at-bat, the ball bounced away from the catcher just enough for Hubbard to race home.
The Warriors advanced in the winner's bracket to face West Chester or Shippensburg at 11 a.m. tomorrow, while IUP (32-14) awaits the loser in an elimination game later today.
ESU improved to 19-19 all-time in the PSAC Tournament dating back to 1971 and earned their first postseason victory over the Crimson Hawks in the team's 21st all-time meeting.
Batting Notables
- Alongside scoring the game-winning run, Hubbard went 3-for-4 at the dish with a walk and stolen base
- Wall recorded his team-high 18th multi hit game of the season as the sophomore was 2-for-4 with a run scored
- Chaise Albus provided the spark plug in ESU's final at-bats as the redshirt freshman went 2-for-4 with a double and run scored
- Seeking his first hit of the game, Jack Rothenhausler delivered (1-for-5) with a two-run double in ninth inning to finish with three RBI
- Out of the leadoff spot, Kelly finished 2-for-5 with one RBI and a pair of runs scored
- Piatkiewicz went 1-for-4 with one RBI and one run while redshirt freshman Walker Zampella (1-for-4) added a bunt single
Pitching Notables
- Jack Nielsen (2-0) recorded his second win of the season as the senior recorded the final out in the top of the ninth inning
- Sophomore Ryan Dewees earned the no-decision as the All-PSAC East Second Team selection tossed 7.0 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits
- Johansel Brito made his postseason debut as the freshman fired 1.2 innings, surrendering two runs on one hit and a pair of walks
How it Happened – ESU 6, IUP 5
IUP broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning as the Crimson Hawks pushed across two runs on three hits to grab a 2-0 lead. After loading the bases with no outs, Ricardo Aponte beat out an infield single to drive in the game's first run before Brady Yard collected an RBI with a sacrifice fly.
In the top of the fourth inning, IUP took advantage of an ESU fielding error to increase their edge to 3-0 as Au'Sean Owens delivered a two-out RBI single to score Davin Landers, who beat a double play ball before advancing into scoring position on a misthrow.
ESU finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning as Rothenhausler delivered an RBI groundout to pull the Warriors within two runs at 3-1. Kelly came around to score the run after leading off the frame with a single up the middle.
IUP added a much needed pair of insurance runs in their final at-bats as Aponte knocked in a pair on a single to right field to put the Crimson Hawks ahead 5-1.
The Warriors used four hits, which included two for extra bases, one walk and a hit by pitch to score five runs and complete the comeback win.
Up Next
The Warriors await the winner of PSAC East second-seeded West Chester and PSAC East fourth-seed Shippensburg in tomorrow's winner's bracket. The game is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. from Jack Critchfield Park.
