Penn College faced Cairn University in the United East Conference baseball playoffs, losing in a best-of-three series by scores of 12-5 and 19-14 on Friday afternoon. This result concluded the Wildcats’ season with an 18-18 record, as the Highlanders advanced to the conference final four next weekend with a 27-14 record.
During the first game, Penn College initially led with solo home runs by Jaydeon Goebel in the second inning and Nathan Gustkey in the third. Cairn equaled the score with two runs in the fourth before the Wildcats added three more runs, one in each of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. However, Cairn took over with a 10-run rally in the eighth and ninth innings, ending the game in their favor. Griffin Vollman pitched a strong seven-inning start for the Wildcats, but Cairn’s late surge secured the win.
In the must-win second game for Penn College, Dallas Griess initiated a three-run first inning with a solo home run. Contributions from Goebel, Matt Munoz, and a Highlanders wild pitch helped the Wildcats gain a lead. Yet, Cairn’s robust offense built a 12-5 advantage with consistent scoring across the third through fifth innings. Penn College countered with four-run innings in the fifth and sixth, briefly retaking a 13-12 lead via strong performances by Gustkey and Levi Purnell. Cairn added seven more runs in the final innings to complete the series sweep.
In the second game, Griess, Gustkey, Goebel, and Purnell each recorded three hits. Brandon Shane’s three-run home run in the fifth contributed with four RBIs.
Penn College’s baseball season ended with this defeat to Cairn, which now moves forward in the United East Conference playoffs.
