BOX SCORE

Despite a strong pitching performance from sophomore Michael Patsch, SVC lost a 4-3 decision to the Grove City Wolverines at Bearcat Ballfield.

The Bearcats took the early lead in the bottom of the second off Grove City starter Erick Locker, as Chris Winkler reached on an error to start the inning.  Collin Laguzza followed with a double to deep left, moving Winkler to third.  Two batters later, Matt Loftis singled down the right field line, scoring both runners and putting the hosts in front, 2-0.

Grove City came back in the fourth inning with four runs on four hits, with Nick Fryer's two-run home run over the left center field fence breaking a 2-2 tie.

SVC got a run back in the fifth, as AJ Kavinsky reached on a one-out error then moved to second courtesy of a wild pitch.  Vince Murphy followed with a single to center that scored Kavinsky.

From there, Patsch and Locker dueled to a scoreless tie the rest of the way, with Dustin Welsh coming out of the SVC bullpen to thwart a Wolverine rally in the top of the 9th.

Locker (3-2) went the distance, scattering nine hits and giving up just one earned run while walking one and striking out 6.  Patsch worked 8+ innings, giving up 8 hits and four runs, walking two and striking out four.

Murphy, Joey Fearer and Jordan Britcher each had two hits for the Bearcats.

SVC is now 6-9 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference, 11-17 overall.  Grove City improves to 5-9 in the PAC, with an overall 7-16 record.

The teams will meet in Mercer County on Thursday afternoon in a twinbill.