YORk, Pa.– Eastern University Baseball saw its late-season run with a pair of losses at top-seeded York in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinals. The Eagles saw a late comeback fall short in a 9-7 loss n the opener and were unable to slug with the host Spartans in a 12-4 loss in the nightcap.
The Eagles (10-17) started the year 1-10 but have been a tough out in every series since and were the only team in the MAC Commonwealth to beat York twice in the regular season.
To pick up a win in game one, the Eagles would have to do what no one had done all year. The host Spartans (28-5) had won all nine games started by senior left-hander Brandon Haggerty. The York ace blanked the Eagles in the regular season and had not allowed more than three runs in any start this season.
The Eagles picked up two runs on two hits in the opening inning and led 2-1 heading to the bottom of the fifth. York loaded the bases and tied the game on a walk. York senior first baseman Jack Berry unloaded the bases and untied the game with his 16th home run of the year. The Spartan lead was 8-1 before the inning ended.
Steve Sattanino came on to slow down the York bats and the Eagles put two on with one out in the seventh to get into the York bullpen.
Matt McHale walked and
Liam Clarke singled to drive in one.
Jake Jones doubled to pull the Eagles to within three and to chase the first reliever.
Brad Clemens drove in the final run of the inning with a single, but the Eagles left the tying run on to end the inning.
After Sattanino pitched a perfect bottom of the seventh, the Eagles started another one-out rally.
Shane Albertson singled and moved to second on a
Connor Schilling ground out. McHale Drove home Albertson with single down the right field line and Clarke singled to put the go-ahead runner on. The duo stole bases to move into scoring position, but Jones grounded out to end the rally.
After York picked up an insurance run, the Eagles got a lead-off single from Clemens to start the ninth, but the York bullpen held the Eagles to claim the edge in the series.
The York bats, led by designated hitter's Austin Denlinger's two home runs and a double, helped the hosts to an 11-1 lead in the nightcap. Denlinger, who also homered in game one, now has 17 home runs in the COVID-shortened season. Berry and Denlinger are first and second nationally in home runs hit. The Eastern single-season home run record is eight.
Liam Clarke drove in two runs with a double in the seventh and
Jake Jones drove him home, but the Eagles were unable to get closer than 11-4.
Today's games were the first games since March 27th when the Eagles have scored more than three runs and lost.
"It was obviously a disappointing day," Head Coach
Scott Renauro said. "Our guys battled all year. I asked them all year to compete. We did that today and for every day the last month. Our seniors have gone through many challenges in their careers. They helped our program take several steps in the right direction. We aren't where we want to be but we are getting there. I am grateful for the consistent efforts of this group."
The wins over Widener last weekend enable the Eagles to advance in the postseason for just the second time since 2001.
