ST. DAVIDS, Pa. –
Timmy Gorton set the program hit mark as Eastern University Baseball picked up a 9-6 win over the visiting Wesley College Wolverines. Gorton, a senior catcher, picked up his 198th career hit to set the record on a single in the fifth. He added a 2-run homer in the eighth move himself into position to be Eastern's first 200-hit player.
The Eagles opened up a 3-0 lead without the benefit of a hit in the second. Zach belanger drove in one run with a bases-loaded walk and Gorton hit a sacrifice fly to knock in another.
The visiting Wolverines (9-19) scored a single run in the third and tacked on three more in the fifth to lead 4-3. That lead, however, was short-lived.
Gorton led of the fifth with a single through the right side to set the record. The eagles loaded the bases and
Britton Lawrence delivered a two-out two-RBI single to put the Eagles up 6-5.
Wesley scored a single run to tie the game in the sixth before the Eagles went back up 6-5 when Gorton grounded into a double-play in the bottom of the inning.
The Wolverines had the bases loaded with one out in the seventh when
Matt Bunjo came on. The junior worked out of the jam with a swinging strikeout and a routine fly ball.
Riding the momentum of Bunjo's escape artistry, the Eagles tacked on a run When Lawrence doubled to drive in
Brad Clemens. Gorton then pulled a ball over the Wawa sign in right-center to put the game out of reach in the eighth. The two-run shot is the ninth homer of his career. He moves into a tie for fifth on the program career list for homers.
"I am so proud of Timmy and the work he has put in over four years," Head Coach
Jed Morris said after the game. "He has worked hard on improving all parts of his game."
Sixty-four of Gorton's 199 career hits have been for extra-bases. He is also Eastern's career leader in RBI's, total bases, and doubles.
"Our young pitching staff is looking better," Morris added. "With our offense turning over and scoring runs, I think they are relaxing and minimizing damage. Bunjo was outstanding today."
The Eagles (11-15) have another non-league tilt at home tomorrow against the College of Mount Saint Vincent tomorrow before heading into five league games this weekend.
