SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – After playing seven games in six days this past week down in Florida, the Allegheny baseball team opened up their conference slate in chilly conditions on the road at Wittenberg University on Saturday afternoon. In each of the two games, the Gators (7-6, 0-2 NCAC) took an early lead, but the Tigers (11-7, 2-0 NCAC) engineered comebacks and two the two-game set with a game one win, 9-5, and a game two win, 4-2.
In game one, the Gators jumped out to a 5-0 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth. The final play in the top half of the inning proved to be a game-changing play. In that play, starting pitcher Mike Peresulcha grounded a ball to the Tigers' shortstop, who fielded the ball and threw on to first base to nab Pereslucha on a bang-bang play. After the inning-ending groundout, Pereslucha was tossed from the game for arguing the call at first base. The ejection forced the Gators to go to the bullpen perhaps earlier than they would have. To that point on the mound, Pereslucha had worked four compete innings, scattered four hits, struck out four, and gave up two unearned runs.
With Pereslucha out of the game, the Tigers' bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth scoring six runs on six hits, four of which were doubles. The big inning gave the Tigers an 8-5 lead, and they would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth for the eventual final score of 9-5.
From the leadoff spot in the order, Eric Hansen was 3-for-3 in the first game and drove in two runs. Zack Nichols and Jon Boyd each had two hits in the game.
Game two started out well for the Gators as Hansen drew the opening walk and then ended up on third base after a failed pickoff attempt. Kyle Davis would drive Hansen home with a groundout to the shortstop. With two outs in the inning, back-to-back doubles by Matt Stahl and Pereslucha plated the second run. In the bottom of the frame, the Tigers got one run back on a sacrifice fly. The Tigers would take the lead the next inning with two runs.
After the shaky first inning, Tigers' starter Zack Finke settled in tossing five complete innings, giving up just the two runs, four hits, while striking out four to earn his third win of the season. After Finke's day was done on the bump, the Tigers' bullpen worked two scoreless innings of relief to preserve the 4-2 win.
David Strawser was the game two starter for the Gators and he worked five complete innings as well, giving up nine hits and four runs, three of which were earned. In that game, Ben Lomaster, Stahl, and Pereslucha each had two hits.
The Gators will look to bounce back with a conference doubleheader on Sunday, March 27th at Denison. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.