SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — The Warriors led for nearly the entire game, but a walk-off home run for Millersville eliminated the ESU baseball team in the PSAC Tournament semifinals.
BATTING NOTABLES
- Cole Serfass drove in both runs for the Warriors with a two-RBI single in the top of the first. He went 2-4 on the day, the only ESU batter to record multiple hits.
PITCHING NOTABLES
- Ethan Woods started the game and made it through 5.0 IP. He struck out three, allowing one earned run.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- ESU jumped on Millersville starting pitcher Matt Shamany quickly, with Troy Davis and Walker Zampella singling in consecutive at-bats with one out. With both runners in scoring position after a throwing error, Serfass singled up the middle. Davis scored easily from third, and while the throw beat Zampella to the plate, Millersville catcher Sammy Laux couldn't hold on to it as Zampella reached home safely.
- Millersville threatened in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with one out. Woods escaped the jam by getting Laux to ground into a 6-4-3 double play, ending the inning. The Marauders would get on the board in the bottom of the fifth, with Donis Rodriguez getting to second on a single and wild pitch, then scoring off a single from Jimmy Kirk.
- Peyton Brannock entered the game in the bottom of the sixth, inheriting one runner on with nobody out. He ended the inning stranding two runners, as ESU led 2-1 after six.
- The Warriors had two chances to add onto their lead with at least one runner in scoring position in the seventh and ninth innings. Albert worked a leadoff walk in the seventh, and Condeelis laid down a sacrifice bunt to get him to second base. Joe Morrissey got the next two outs in six pitches, getting a flyout and a strikeout to end the inning. In the ninth, Ryan Manning doubled down the left field line to open the frame. Connor Reilly drew a five-pitch walk, and after a sacrifice bunt by Albert, ESU had runners on second and third with one out. Millersville's reliever Joe Morrissey struck out the final two batters of the inning to get out of trouble and keep it a one-run game.
- With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Matthew Williams hit a fly ball to shallow right field. A miscommunication allowed it to fall, as Williams got into second base. Kirk was the next batter up, hitting a home run over the left field wall to end it.
UP NEXT
The Warriors now wait for the NCAA Tournament selection show, which airs at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 11. ESU was tied with Millersville for third in the Atlantic Region in yesterday's release.
