Penn College split a United East baseball doubleheader against Notre Dame on Saturday. The Wildcats lost the first game 10-9 but won the second game decisively with a 13-0 score. This brings Penn College’s record to 11-5 in the United East Conference and 18-16 overall.
In the first game, Penn College initially led with a 5-1 advantage over the first four innings. Contributions came from Ethan Stahl, Dallas Griess, and Levi Purnell, who helped secure a 3-0 lead in the third. A wild pitch and an RBI fielder’s choice by Griess extended the lead to 5-1. John Croasdale delivered a one-run single in the sixth, and Matt Munoz’s RBI grounder in the seventh increased the lead to 7-2. However, Notre Dame scored four runs in the seventh inning to close the gap to 7-6. Despite RBIs from Griess and Shawn Townsend in the eighth, making it 9-5, the Gators responded with five runs in the eighth, ending the game with a 10-9 win. Croasdale led with three hits, followed by Stahl and Jaydon Goebel with two each, while Griess achieved a game-high three RBIs.
In the second game, after four scoreless innings, Penn College scored 13 runs across the final five innings. Contributions included Griess with a sacrifice and doubles from Nathan Gustkey and Townsend, resulting in a 3-0 lead by the fifth. Croasdale’s fielder’s choice and bases-loaded walks by Gustkey and Purnell increased the lead to 6-0 in the sixth. Another Griess sacrifice in the eighth and additional contributions from Shane, Stahl, Gustkey, and a two-run double by Purnell expanded the lead by six in the ninth. Croasdale again recorded three hits, with Stahl and Shane adding two each. Purnell and Gustkey provided three RBIs each. Pitcher Ethan Hannevig improved to a 3-3 record, allowing no runs on three hits and achieving two strikeouts and three walks over seven innings.
Penn College will enter the conference playoffs as a top-5 seed next week.
