SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV – No. 13-ranked East Stroudsburg University hit a season-best five home runs in a 16-6 win in the opener, and had a seventh-inning comeback fall one run short in a 6-5 loss in the nightcap to split a doubleheader at Shepherd and this weekend's four-game series in PSAC East baseball on Saturday.

Redshirt senior Dennis Pierce tied ESU's single-season home run record with his 12th of the year, freshman Easton Albert had his first career multi-home run game, redshirt junior Parker Frey hit his first career grand slam, and redshirt junior Walker Zampella all homered in game 1.  Three homers, including Frey's grand slam, came in the seven-run sixth inning that put a 7-4 game out of reach.

Pierce, a transfer from Valdosta State, matched the 12 home runs hit by teammates Mark Angelo and Kevin Thompson in 2009.

ESU (30-9, 15-5) split with Shepherd yesterday (L 11-2, W 14-2) and remains in second in the PSAC East with series remaining against Kutztown (13-26, 6-14) and division leader Millersville (31-6, 17-3) the next two weekends.

Batting Notables
* ESU had 39 total baserunners in the doubleheader – 14 hits, nine walks and three HBP in game 1, and 12 hits with one walk in game 2.
* Albert (5-for-8, double, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs), junior Shanley Wall (5-for-9, walk, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, 2 runs) and redshirt sophomore Chaise Albus (5-for-8, walk, 3 RBI, 2 runs) had five hits each. Albert was 4-for-5 with four RBI and three runs in game 1; Wall and Albus both collected three hits in game 2.
* Senior Jack Rothenhausler reached in all five plate appearances in the opener with two walks and three HBP.  He moved into 2nd on ESU's career list of times reached base (331), trailing only former teammate Brainy Rojas (338, 2018-22). He remains tied for ESU's career home run record with Steven Zimmerman (22, 2015-18).

Pitching Notables
* Sophomore Peyton Brannock went 4.0 innings to earn the win in game 1. He allowed two runs on four hits, walked two, and struck out eight of the 16 batters he faced. Brannock tied his career-high of eight strikeouts set last season.
* Senior Caden Parker (2.0 IP, 0 runs) got the Warriors out of the 5th inning and threw a scoreless 6th as the Warriors offense built on the lead.

How It Happened (Game 1) – ESU 16, Shepherd 6
* ESU jumped out to a 7-1 lead through 3.5 innings, plating three in the 2nd with a two-run, bases loaded double by Wall and later the second of Rothenhausler's three HBP to force in a run. Albert launched a two-run homer to left center and Rothenhausler had a bases loaded walk in the 3rd.  Junior catcher Connor Reilly (2-for-3, 2 walks, 2 RBI, run) doubled to score Albert in the 4th.
* Shepherd scored in the 4th, and hit two solo homers in the 5th to close to 7-4.
* The Warriors sent 10 batters to the plate in their seven-run 6th.  Zampella and Albert went back-to-back to start the inning, Albus had an RBI single, and Frey's grand slam came with two outs to make it 14-4.
* Pierce hit a two-run homer in the 7th to tie the school record.
* Brannock struck out the side in the bottom of the 1st, and finished his outing by stranding runners on first and second with a strikeout in the 4th.

How It Happened (Game 2) – Shepherd 6, ESU 5
* ESU trailed 6-3 going to the top of the 7th, then nearly rallied as Pierce singled, Wall doubled and Albus had a two-run single and then stole second to start the inning before Shepherd closed the game.
* ESU's 12 hits included doubles by Wall, Frey and Albert.
* Shepherd scored four runs in the 2nd inning on a single, three walks, a sacrifice fly and a triple.