GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy took down #13 TCNJ, 10-5, Monday afternoon, stretching their unbeaten streak to eight games.
Tommy Nardini was 3-for-4 with three RBI's and Shaughn Wright added three hits and scored twice. Starter Gino Tripodi allowed just two runs in six-plus innings with three strikeouts and just two walks. GMercyU (20-10-1) scored runs in key spots and got some stellar defensive plays to get out of potential jams.
Tripodi worked out of a tough spot in the first, as the bases were loaded with one out. After a run scored on a forceout at third, the Griffin defense escaped further harm as another forceout limited the damage to just one run.
With two outs and the bags full in the third, Josh Lopez delivered a two-run single to center to put Gwynedd ahead. The Griffins plated two runs in the fourth on one pitch. With runners at second and third, TCNJ starter Max Guidice uncorked a wild pitch, which allowed Nardini to score from third. However, on the throw attempt to home plate, the ball would get away from Guidice and Iziah Trimble would round third and score for a 4-1 lead.
The Lions manufactured a run in the fifth, but not before the Griffins countered with two in the bottom half. With two on and two outs, Nardini sent a ball in the gap in right center for two more runs.
In the sixth, TCNJ got runners on with one out. Tripodi would be replaced with Liam Sullivan. After a single to load the bases, Sullivan induced two pop ups to end the threat.
The Lions plated two unearned runs in the seventh, but not before loading the bases once again. The Griffin defense helped Sullivan get out the jam with an inning-ending double play. That momentum carried over into the bottom half, where Gwynedd scored four runs on four hits and a walk. With a leadoff walk to Lopez and a single from Wright, TCNJ reliever Dean Austin was called for a balk to move the runners up to scoring position. Ryan Keen took advantage, by smacking a double to left to score Lopez and Wright. Keen later scored on Nardini's RBI single and Jason Mulvey later drove home brother Nick Mulvey on a sac fly to up the lead to 10-4.
Dave Tatoian came on with one out in the eighth, and did not allow a hit to give GM their first win in the last four meetings over the Lions.
Trimble scored twice, walked and added a sacrifice while Jason Mulvey was 2-for-2 with a run scored.
The Griffins travel to Eastern tomorrow in another non-conference tilt.