Baseball Sweeps Franklin to Remain Atop HCAC Standings

CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Mount St. Joseph University baseball team hosted the Franklin Grizzlies in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference double-header on a blustery Monday afternoon at Foundation Field in Hamilton, Ohio. The Lions and Grizzlies entered the series as the team's with 2-0 records in HCAC play after the season opening double-headers on Saturday. The Lions got a 16-15 walk-off win in game one, then followed that up with an 11-7 to move to 4-0 in league play.

GAME ONE | MSJ 16 - Franklin 15 (WP: Webb)

In game one the Lions scored five times in the bottom of the first, all coming with two outs in the inning. With two-outs and the bases loaded, Sean Moore delivered the first big blow with a two-run single up the middle. Jackson Gutzwiller followed that ujp with a two-run double and Jake Sanders finished the scoring with an RBI single. 

They would send nine batters to the plate again in the second, scoring three more times. Anton Mere led off with a triple into the right field corner, Jordan Harley would drive him in with his second infield single of the game. With runners at first and third and one-out Brennan Martin singled through the right side for an RBI, and Moore drove in his third run of the game with a single to right. 

Franklin then exploded for seven in the top of the third to get right back into the game. The Lions answered with one in the bottom with Harley doubling and eventually scoring on a groundout by Ethan Mason. 

The Grizzlies came all the way back to tie the game at nine with a two-spot in the top of the fourth inning off of Lions reliever Jackson Bucks. 

MSJ took the lead back in the bottom of the 6th scoring twice. Gutzwiller was hit by a pitch to open the inning, then Sanders doubled to right center on a tough 0-2 pitch. Gutzwiller scored on an RBI ground out from Austin Buckle and Sanders on an RBI ground out off the bat of Mere. 

In the top of the 7th, Franklin scored one to cut back into the Lions lead. The resilient Lions answered again with another two spot. Mason singled and Martin walked, Moore then dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners. Mason scored on a sacrifice fly by Gutzwiller and Martin scored on a big two-out double by Sanders. 

The Grizzlies wouldn't go away, scoring four times in the top of the 8th to take the lead right back. Once again the Lions answered the big Franklin inning, scoring twice in the bottom of the inning to go ahead 15-14 going into the ninth. 

In the top of the ninth Franklin loaded the bases with no out, but senior right-hander Evan Webb allowed only one run to score. 

Going into the bottom of the ninth the Lions needed just one more run to get a walk-off win, Mere got a one-out single up the middle. He was forced out on a fielder's choice of the bat of Harley. Jordan then stole second base and Harrison delivered a walk-off base hit into center.

GAME TWO | MSJ 11 - Franklin 7 (WP: deSylva)

Game two started out much like game one, the two teams combined to score nine runs through the first two innings. Franklin scored twice in the top of the first, and the Lions answered with two of their own. Mere led of the game with a double to right field, with the hit he moved his hitting streak to 19-games dating back to 2024 which ties him for the longest hitting streak in program history with Ryan Murray. Harley singled and advanced to second on the throw back in, Harrison and Mason each delivered RBI groundouts to tie the game.

After Franklin scored once in the top of the second, the Mount answered with four of their own. Harley and Harrison both drew bases loaded walks and Mason was hit-by-pitch for an RBI, the final run of the inning came via a wild pitch. 

Freshman right-hander Zach deSylva entered the game in the third and provided Coach Newman's squad with 3.2 innings of outstanding relief. The freshman allowed only a pair of hits and two runs, earning his second win of the season. 

The Mount scored twice in the fourth and fifth innings and added one in the sixth.. Ian Busch came on in the 8th and was nearly flawless over the final 2.0 innings, allowing only a single baserunner while striking out four. 

UP NEXT:
The Lions will host the defending HCAC Champion Hanover Panthers in a 3-game series next weekend. Weather permitting the games are schedule to be at 6:00 PM Friday and 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on Saturday.