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Mount Aloysius scored two runs with two outs in the 11th inning to hand the Bearcats a 4-2 loss in Saint Vincent's home opener at Bearcat Ballfield.
Bearcat starting pitcher
Paul Kubeja was masterful, throwing 8.2 innings and allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts, but was saddled with the no-decision, as the Mountie hurlers were just as impressive, holding Saint Vincent to just six hits on the afternoon.
Saint Vincent got things off on the right foot, taking an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Zach Bush singled, and moved to third on a
Joe Aul double. Mt. Aloysius hurler Mike Godissart was then charged with a balk, scoring Bush, before
Zack Galasso followed with an RBI ground out to first base to plate Aul.
The Mounties got one run back in the third, taking advantage of a Bearcat fielding miscue to score an unearned tally. David Brown led off with a double, and the next batter, Skyler Sheeder, attempted a sacrifice bunt. The throw to first sailed into right field, and Brown was able to cross the plate.
The damage could have been greater, but the rightfielder Galasso hurled a perfect strike from the rightfield corner to second base to nail Sheeder who attempted to go to second. The next batter, Bryan Nolan, also reached on an error, advancing to second base, but was picked off to end the frame.
The visitors were able to tie the game in the top of the fifth using small ball. Derek Jabco led off with a walk, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then scored on a Sheeder single to make the score 2-2.
Both team's pitchers then took over. A third inning double from Bush proved to be the last baserunner Godissart would allow for a nearly six-inning span, as he retired 15 straight batters. Kubeja countered by surrendering just one hit between the sixth and ninth innings, and the game remained tied going into extra frames.
The Bearcats had a pair of opportunities in the later innings, but stranded runners at second base in both the eighth and ninth innings.
In the 11th, SVC reliever
Gary Gerhardt recorded two quick outs, before Brian Rose was hit by a pitch. Aaron Kovach then singled, putting runners on first and second, and then Mark Saxman cleared the bases with a double to the fence in right center field, giving the Mounties the 4-2 lead.
With one out in the bottom of the 11th, Bush reached on an error, but was forced out at second on a fielder's choice from Aul. Aul then advanced to second on a balk, but Mt. Aloysius closer Carter Lehman got a strikeout to end the game and seal the comeback win for the Mounties.
Bush and Aul each went 2-for-5 for SVC (4-7), while
Mike Hustava and
Brad Burkardt added the other two Bearcat hits. Mt. Aloysius also managed just six hits for the contest, led by Kovach, who went 2-for-4.
Godissart took the no-decision for Mt. Aloysius (4-3), working 7.1 innings and allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. Joe Hribar came on in the eighth and was credited with the win, throwing 3.0 scoreless and allowing just one hit with one strikeout. Lehman retired both batters he faced in the 11th for the save.
Gerhardt was saddled with the loss for SVC, going 2.1 innings and allowing two runs on two hits with four strikeouts.
Saint Vincent will return to action on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Penn State-Altoona for a 1pm doubleheader.