ALFRED, N.Y. - Hilbert baseball regroupd in the nightcap today and took down Alfred State College for the second time in two days.
The Hawks earned a 10-5 victory, scoring three insurance runs in the 9th and forced the Pioneers out of the double elimination tournament.
Hilbert, 27-16, will turn around and battle Penn State Altoona again but this time in the title game tomorrow beginning at 11:00 am May 13th.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alfred State built a 3-run lead early, scoring one in the 1st and a pair in the 2nd inning.
After Thomas Evans plated John Watson for Hilbert's first run, Patrick Whelan connected on a three-run homer and lifted Hilbert by one run (4-3) in the fourth inning.
Alfred State knotted the game in the 5th and both pitchers faced only three batters in the 6th.
John Riviere-Vejas connected with a hit to right field scoring Whelan at the start of the 7th, and Sebastian Gomez singled to the short stop scoring Griffin McAndrews. Jack Duffek hit a sac fly allowing Riviere-Vejas time to sprint home for the seventh run for Hilbert.
Closer Brendan Walsh entered the game in the bottom of the 7th with one out and bases loaded. The hosts inched closer, plating their fifth run, but Hilbert turned a double play to escape the inning leading, 7-5.
The Hawks were in scoring position after Evans opened the 8th with a double to center but he was stranded after back-to-back fielder's choice at bats.
Walsh allowed one hit in the 8th after facing only four batters which sent the good guys back to the dug out.
Watson walked, stole second, advanced to third when Santos made it safely to first thanks to a throwing error. The Pioneer intentionally walked Whelan, and McAndrews was credited with a 2RBI single plating Watson and Santos. Riviere-Vejas' double down the left line scored Whelan but the inning ended with a throw out at home.
The Hawks danced in the infield after Walsh earned his 11th save this spring, his second in two days, and both against the Pioneers.
Andrew Cole earned his fourth win this season (4-3) allowing two hits, one run and two walks, but the Hawks earned the win by committee work. Zackory Panfil opened the game with five hits, three runs over two innings, Blaine Morgan picked up the third and fourth with hits, one run performance before Cole and Walsh capped the game off with a combined three-hit, one-run victory over the final five innings.
Thomas Evans (1D) and Alex Ellison each finished with three hits, and Whelan led with hit 3RBI home run, off two hits and three walks. Riviere-Vejas knocked in two runs off two hits (1D).
Up Next:
#5 Hilbert (26-17) continues to wander into uncharted water for the baseball program.
Since they are coming out of the loser's bracket, having lost earlier today to #6 Penn State Altoona, the Hawks must beat the Lions in the 11:00 am game and then produce a repeat victory in the second game in order to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA national tournament.
Altoona, not have lost one game yet in the tournament, can afford to drop the first game and will still be alive in the double elimination tournament.