MARCH 11, 2017
MONARCHS EXPLODE FOR 14 RUNS IN SECOND GAME TO SPLIT WITH GORDON
LAKELAND, FL --- The King's College baseball team exploded for 14 runs in the second game of a doubleheader with Gordon College on Saturday at McKeel Academy of Technology in Lakeland, FL. The Scots won the opener 4-3 on a walk-off grand slam.
The Monarchs finish their spring break trip to Florida with a 5-5 record while Gordon is now 2-2 on the season.
In the opener King's scored all three of their runs in the third inning on three hits and one error. Sean McKee continued his torrid start to the season with a double to the warning track in right. Brad Wilkins reached base on a grounder to third where the throw pulled the first baseman off the bag and then Zach Godfrey loaded the bases with a bunt single that went over the pitcher's head landed in front of the charging shortstop who was unable to make a play at any base. Tom Gibbons knocked in a run on a field's choice to short who got the out at second. Gibbons advanced to second on a wild pitch and then Chris Rebar hit a two RBI single to right to give the Monarchs a 3-0 lead.
On the mound Billy Neill pitched excellent in the middle innings to help keep the Monarchs in the lead as the Scots held the Monarchs off the bases in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Neill was extra efficient in the fourth inning with three groundouts to the left side on just five pitches. In the sixth inning he worked himself into a jam by hitting the first two batters who then advanced to second and third on a successful double steal. However as quick as he worked himself into the jam he worked himself out of it with a pop up to third, a strikeout, and a ground out to short to end the inning.
In the bottom of the seventh inning the first two Gordon batters got on base on an infield single to short and a walk. After the Monarchs made a pitching change the next batter walked bringing the game-winning run to the plate with no outs. Gordon, who were a part of two walk-offs in their first two games of the year on Friday, made it three-for-three in walk-off as Alec Willey connected on the second pitch his saw and knocked it over the right field fence for a walk-off home run.
Rebar led the Monarchs with a hit and two RBIs in game one. Gibbons scored a run and knocked in one while McKee and Wilkins recorded a hit and scored a run each. Billy Neill received a no decision on the mound allowing two runs on three hits in six-plus innings. He walked four and struck out four. Kyle Marinelli got the loss on the mound in relief facing two batters and walking one and allowing the walk-off home run.
Alec Willey led the Scots on his walk-off grand slam. Dean Demers had two hits and Travis Benoit had one. Morgan Hyde got the complete game victory on the hill allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits, two walks, and he struck out four.
In the second game Gordon continued their sudden offensive streak with two manufactured run in the top of the first inning. After a fly out to center on the first pitch of the game the next four batters hit singles. The Monarchs were able to get out of the inning with no more damage on a beautiful 4-6-3 double play. Gordon increased their lead to 3-0 in the second inning. Christian Hodge hit a leadoff double and then scored when the throw to third on his stolen base attempt sailed into left field.
The Monarchs offense wasted no time in the bottom of the inning making a dent in the Scot advantage. Christian Pack led off by drawing a nine-pitch walk in which he fouled off three consecutive 3-2 pitches. He advanced to second on a wild pitch before McKee was walked to put runners on first and second. Sean Padden moved both runners up on a slow grounder to third base before Wilkins loaded the bases when he took one for the team on a hit-by-pitch. Two runs scored with two outs when Gibbons hit a grounder to third in which the third baseman threw away allowing Gibbons to advance to second and Wilkins to third. Gordon got out of the inning with no more damage when their centerfielder tracked down a fly ball off the bat of Chris Rebar in right center.
Bruce Breithaupt led off the third with a double down the right field line and then advanced to third on a balk. Kyle Lupas tied the game up at 3 with a single through the right side. The Monarchs took advantage of another throwing error after Pack was able to reach second base when the relay throw from second on an attempted double play flew into the Gordon dugout. He was moved over the third on a ground out to third by McKee and then knocked in for the go-ahead run on a Padden single through the left side.
On the mound John Wickiser had calmed down after the first two innings and retired 11 batters in a row from the second inning until the fifth inning. In fact the Scots only had two hits the rest of the way.
In the fourth inning Gibbons began the inning when he legged out a infield single up the middle to the shortstop. After he stole second and Rebar worked a eight-pitch walk after being down 0-2 in the count. A balk moved both runners up and then Gibbons scored on a wild pitch. Breithaupt then knocked in Rebar for the second run of the inning on a groundout to short. The Monarchs were able to load the bases in the inning with two outs but Gordon got the final out before King's could do any more damage.
The Monarchs bats really came alive in the fifth inning and the team took advantage of three errors while batting around to score seven runs on four hits and two walks while facing three different pitchers. Shawn Stone began the inning with a four pitch walk and then stole second. Gibbons walked and then Rebar hit a RBI single through the right side to put runners at the corners. Breithaupt knocked in Gibbons on a groundout to first while Rebar advanced all the way to third when the first baseman threw the ball away trying to get Gibbons out at home. Lupas knocked in Rebar with a ground out to third base. Pack hit a two-out single to left center and then moved over to third on a McKee double to deep left center. On the next play it looked like Gordon was going to get out of the inning with no more damage when Padden hit a grounder to second base but his throw pulled the first baseman off the bag allowing Pack to score. Wilkins made him pay dearly for the mistake with a two RBI double to right center. Wilkins then scored when he advanced to third on a wild pitch and then trotted home when the catcher's throw went into left field. Stone, who started the inning with a walk, drew another walk and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. The Scots finally got out of the inning when Gibbons popped up to third base.
Rebar gave King's another insurance run in the sixth when he drew a leadoff walk, moved up to second on a slow groundout to first, and then was knocked in by a single to left with two outs by Pack.
Pack led the Monarchs in game two with three hits in four at-bats, three runs scored and an RBI. Wilkins had two hits, scored a run and knocked in two. Six different Monarchs had a hit while Rebar scored three times and knocked in a run and Gibbons scored twice. Breithaupt scored a run and knocked in two. After a scoreless first the Monarchs plated at least one run in every inning on 11 hits. The 14 runs are the most for the Monarchs in a game this season.
John Wickiser recovered from a slow start to go the distance in receiving the victory. He finished the game with three runs allowed, two earned, on seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.
The Scots were led by Matt Lucas with one hit and two runs knocked in. Connor Rogotzke was the hard luck loser for Gordon lasting 3.0 innings allowing six runs, only three earned on five hits and four walks. He struck out two. King's took advantage of six Gordon errors in the game as seven of their 14 runs were unearned. Five different pitchers combined to pitch the final 3.0 innings allowing eight runs, four earned, on six hits and five walks.
Christian Pack had four hits on the day with three runs scored and an RBI. Brad Wilkins added three hits with two runs and knocked in two. Chris Rebar record two hits with three walks, three runs scored, and three RBIs. Sean McKee had two hits while scoring three runs.
The Monarchs will return home and are scheduled to host SUNY New Paltz in their Lipo Field opener on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. However with the snow fall in the northeast on Friday and the scheduled snow for this week in Wilkes-Barre that game might be in jeopardy of occurring. The Monarchs are scheduled to open up conference play next weekend against Eastern University. King's is scheduled to host Friday's single nine inning game at Lipo Field beginning at 3:30 p.m. while the Eagles will host Saturday's doubleheader in St. Davids with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m.