KOKOMO, Indiana - For the second year in a row the Mount St. Joseph University baseball team has earned a spot in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) tournament in Kokomo, Indiana.
The Lions led by coach
Jeff Newman got to this point after putting together a 24-15 regular season record with a 12-10 mark in HCAC play. The did so behind the leagues second highest scoring offense, and a balanced and deep pitching staff that finished third in the HCAC in ERA this season.
They will open the tournament with a first-round matchup with the #4 seed the Transylvania Pioneers. The two squads played a three game series just two weeks ago, with the Lions taking two of the three games vs. the Pioneers. The Lions took game one of the series 8-2 behind an outstanding start from sophomore
Nolan Miller, the right-hander went 7.0 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 6. Transy took the second game of the series 1-0 as both teams pitched the ball extremely well. In the rubber match, Transy led much of the way but a two run single from
Ethan Mason in the eighth inning was the difference giving the Mount a 4-3 win.
Should the Lions win game one they will likely take on the top seeded Manchester Spartans at 4:30 PM. Should #6 Franklin defeat #3 Rose-Hulman the Lions would then take on #2 Anderson at 7:45 PM.
