Lake Myrtle, Florida—On Friday, March 11 the Mount St. Joseph University Baseball program returned to action. This would serve as their second and final double-header of the week. The Lions would play the Thunder of Trine University. In game one the Lions would fall short by a final score of 3-2. In the second game, the Lions were completely dominant as they would post a 15-1 win.
Game One: Trine 3 MSJ 2
In the first game of the day, the Lions would find themselves leading 1-0 after the visitor's half of the third inning. Jake Lawson would need one swing of the bat to claim the lead for the Lions as he drove a solo home-run into right field. In the top of the fourth inning, the pitching staff of Trine would quickly retire two Lions. This would bring Caleb Partin to the plate, who would single into center field. This would allow Lawson to single into left field to score Partin.
With the Lions still in control of a 2-0 lead going into the home half of the sixth inning, Trine would strike for three runs and the lead. After the Lions were retired in order in the top of the seventh the team would find themselves on the short end of the scoreboard 3-2.
The two-hit effort by Lawson helped the Lions hold onto a lead late into the ball game. Lawson would turn in a state line of two for three at the plate, including a home run, two RBI's, and a walk. The trio of Ryan Murray, Partin and Andrew Harrison would each record a hit in game one.
Game Two: MSJ 15 Trine 1
The second game of the day would turn out completely different for the Lions. In the bottom of the second inning, Tyler Herbers would draw a walk, followed by a Partin double. With two runners in scoring position for Austin Price, who would single into right field scoring both runners. Price would steal second, before Anton Mere would get hit by a pitch, to bring the top of the Lions batting order to the plate with no outs. Lawson would continue his great day with a single, that loaded the bases. Then a wild pitch would score Price from third base, leaving two runners in scoring position for Ryan Murray who would hit a single, to score Mere. Harrison would come to the plate and the Lions their fifth score of the inning with a single to score Lawson. Anderson would tally the Lion's sixth run of the second as he grounded out to third base, scoring Murray.
The top of the fourth saw the Thunder earn their lone score of the ball game. However, the Lions would quickly regain their six-run lead, with a two-run fourth. Murray would be the first Lion to enter the batters' box in the inning and would smash a home run over the right-field fence. The Lions would later load up the bases and Anderson would cross the plate on a wild pitch that gave the Mount an 8-1 lead.
The bottom of the fifth saw the Lions add two more runs to their cause, as Mere drew a one-out walk and stole second base. Murray would single, to drive in Mere, while advancing all the way to third on a fielding error by the right fielder of Trine. This would allow a throwing error by the third basemen of Trine to score Murray and make the Lions lead 10-1.
In the home half of the sixth inning, the Lions would again add to their score. Herbers would reach base on a single to start the inning, before being thrown out on a fielder's choice at second base, being replaced by Pedro Munoz at first. Munoz would advance to second on a wild pitch and a single by Price would leave Munoz ninety feet from home plate. This allowed for Mere to double down the right-field line to score Munoz and Price. With a fresh pitcher on the mound for the Thunder, Lawson would smoke a triple down the right-field line to score Mere. A wild pitch and fielding error by Trine would allow the Lions to add two more runs and win the ball game by a final score of 15-1.
As always, in any ball game that 15 runners cross home there will be several names to mention. Murray was great for the Lions, going three for four at the plate, including a home run, with three RBI's and scoring four total runs in the game. Price was great in this game, recording three hits in four attempts while adding two RBI's and a stolen base. The pair of Lawson and Harrison would both go two of four from the box and drive in a run. Mere would record a double and an RBI, along with a stolen base on the afternoon.
The pitching for the Lions was phenomenal in game two, as Aidan Post would pitch five innings allowing only one run and striking out five batters. Brice McGee would enter the game in relief and go one and two-thirds of work allowing no runs.
With this double-header behind the Lions, they look forward to the final game of their week of baseball. On Saturday, March 11 the Lions will play host to Oberlin College. First pitch is scheduled for 2PM. For continued coverage of this upcoming game and all other MSJ Athletics, continue to follow msjlions.com
