Lake Myrtle, Florida—The Mount St. Joseph University Baseball program will spend their 2022 spring break enjoying the warm weather of Florida. In this trip the Lions will play seven games over the next seven days. Opening their trip, the Lions played a double-header with Gordon College. Winning the first game 10-2 and dropping the second game in close fashion 7-8.
Game One: MSJ 10 GC 2
The Lions were dominant in the first game, scoring an impressive five runs in the home half of the first inning. Senior Tyrell Anderson started this impressive inning, driving a single into left field that would score the combination of Max Kline and Andrew Harrison. Later that inning Nicholas Shields would connect on a three-run home-run.
The Lions were held scoreless in the second inning and surrendered a run to Gordon in the top of the third. The efforts of Gordon would quickly be erased when Tyler Herbers singled to score Harrison the second time in the game to now lead the game 6-1.
It was the fourth inning that the Lions would strike for three runs, the scoring in the fourth would be headlined by an Anderson double into left field that scored Kline. The final scoring play of game one came in the bottom of the sixth, when Caleb Partin singled into left field to score Anderson. This saw the Lions win game one by a final score of 10-2.
Game one saw several Lions post impressive stat lines. Anderson would go 3-4 at the plate, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Herbers collected two hits and an RBI. Shields would end his day 1-2 at the plate, including his three-run home run. The Lions recieved a great game from starting pitcher, Jacob Hughes. Hughes would pitch the full seven innings, allowing two earned runs, while striking out eight.
Game Two: MSJ 7 GC 8
With game one, and a win under their belt the Lions turned to the second game. This game went a bit different as the Lions fell just short 7-8. In the top of the first inning the Lions would plate three runs, thanks to a slew of errors and a wild pitch. The top of the second saw the Lions add to their lead as Ryan Murray would double into left center field to score Partin. Now holding a commanding 4-0 lead, Gordon would tack on five unanswered runs to push them ahead 5-4.
In the top of the fifth inning the Lions would respond in a big way. Matt Brankamp would hit a two RBI double into left field and Jake Lawson would trade places with Brankamp later with an RBI double of his own. Now in control of a 7-5 lead, Gordon would plate three runs in the home half of the seventh, to earn a walk-off win 7-8.
Despite the close loss the Lions had another impressive game at the plate. Murray would finish the game 2-3 at the plate with an RBI. Brankamp would record a hit that also drove in two runs. Partin finished with three hits in four at-bats and scored two runs. Starting Pitcher Aidan Post had another strong outing, pitching four innings, allowing two earned runs and four strikeouts.
Following this double-header the program will look forward to playing Fontbonne on Monday, March 7, before their rest day on Tuesday. For continued coverage of this week of Baseball and all other MSJ Athletics, continue to follow msjlions.com
