Game One Box Game Two Box
HAMBURG, NY – After dropping an opening game to Pitt-Bradford, the men’s baseball team rebounded and fought to a 10-7 defeat today in front of a very supportive group of fans. Freshman Cody Ashford finished the day with 4 hits, 1 RBI and scored 2 runs for the 1-21 Hawks. Bradford’s Derek Smith had a monster opening game going 4 for 5, with 10 RBI and 2 home runs. The Panthers improved to 9-11 and 5-3 AMCC.
Chris Hoak carried the Hawks through 6 full innings in the second game before Garrett Pauly stepped in to the close the game. The difference-maker inning was in the 2nd when Bradford pulled away from the 4-3 spread and extended it to 7-3. Hilbert answered back with only 1 run in the bottom of the third before both teams hurt each other with three runs scored in the fourth.
After getting two quick outs to start the fifth inning, Bradford loaded the bases again. Hoak delivered a ball to Smith which was hit to Ryan Ilardi at second for the out. With some momentum at that point, the fans were excited for the bottom of the inning with the bats in their home team’s hands. But Talas Mahon got in his grove on the mound and struck all three Hilbert batters out which moved the game along.
After that, defense picked up and each team stranded runners to end the game.
Ashford was 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs while Paul Wujek was 2 for 2, with an RIB and scored twice himself. Joe Pernick, John Babocsiand Tony Mara each pushed runs across the plate in the night game.
Bradford was nothing but business to start the day. They burned through three Hilbert pitchers and built a 9-0 lead by the top of the 2nd. Cody Parachoniak stayed on the mound the longest of the seven hurlers going 2.0 innings while giving up 8 runs.
Ashford, Paul Mistretta, Mara and Ilardi each earned hits in the 31-4 loss to Bradford.
The Hawks will travel to Mount Aloysius this Saturday, April 20 and turn around to host Penn State Altoona in a make-up game on Sunday, April 21 at 1pm.