Dave Culeton threw a three-hitter, and received 17 hits from the offense as Saint Vincent cruised to a 12-0 victory in game one of a twinbill at Grove City. SVC would then suffer an 8-4 setback in game two of the doubleheader.
In game one,
Ben Webb singled to start things for SVC in the top of the second.
Greg Martin then singled to move Webb to third, and
Jason Vater singled home Webb with what would prove to be the game-winner. After a single by
Aaron Burger, Martin scored on a single by
Chris Winkler.
In the third,
Dylan Kugler doubled and moved to third on a single by
Luke Fox. Kugler later scored on a double-play, putting SVC in front 3-0.
The Bearcats added two runs in the top of the 5th.
TJ Kuny singled with one out and scored on a Fox double. Fox later scored on a single by Webb, putting the Bearcats ahead 5-0. Saint Vincent added five runs in the sixth on six hits, then added a pair of runs in the seventh on a 2-run home run by Winkler, his first of the season.
It was more than enough for Culeton (3-1), who walked none and struck out two en route to the win.
The host Wolverines got a run each in the first and the fourth to take a 2-0 lead after four innings. SVC responded with four runs in the top of the fifth to take its first lead in game two. Fox singled home Kuny before Kugler came home on a balk against Grove City, making it 2-2. Martin put SVC in front with an RBI single to left that scored Fox. Webb then came home on a wild pitch to make it 4-2 SVC.
Grove City answered back in the bottom half of the fifth with a pair of runs to tie the contest at 4-4. Sophomore pitcher
Dylan Pietrantoni exited with a 4-2 lead but runners on second and third and one out in the inning. He was relieved by Martin, who allowed a sacrifice fly and a double to knot things up.
After SVC went down in order in the top of the sixth, the Bearcats defense came unglued, committing three errors in the inning as Grove City scored four runs to lead 8-4. Saint Vincent was retired in order in the seventh to finish off the game.
Fox and Martin each had two-hit efforts in game two for SVC. Martin took the loss, dropping his season record to 2-1. Freshman John Bini improved to 7-0 for the Wolverines on the mound.
After the split, Saint Vincent sits at 6-6 in the PAC and 13-12 overall. Grove City improved to 9-2 in the league at 17-7 overall.
The Bearcats return to action this weekend with a three-game set with Geneva. The two teams will play a single nine-inning game in Beaver Falls on Friday, April 15. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.