ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - Behind a pair of four-run innings, together with the tremendous pitching of Joziah Trevino and Henry Hutchinson, Eastern Baseball (4-10) snapped its four-game skid with a 9-2 victory over Cairn on a beautiful Friday night at The Yard.
David Hunsberger led the offense, going 2-for-4 from the dish with a pair of RBIs, while Matt McHale drove in a team-high three runs on a moonshot to left-center field in the fourth frame. Jason Hall also collected two RBIs, while Draig Cooley, in his first action of the season, finished 1-for-2 with a double and a pair of walks.
Trevino (1-1) recorded the first victory of his collegiate career, allowing just one earned run while striking out five in a solid 5.1 innings of work. Hutchinson was equally as impressive in relief, allowing only one hit while striking out seven. Hutchinson struck out at least two batters in every full inning he pitched, striking out the side in the ninth to secure the victory and his first career save.
The Highlanders (7-4) threatened in the first inning, recording a leadoff double and putting runners on the corner with one out. However, a strikeout from Trevino, combined with a great throw from Hall to Mark Cruser at second base, resulted in a double play, ending the Cairn threat.
The Eastern bats came alive in the second frame. After a Cottrell walk and a Cruser single, Hunsberger ripped an RBI double to center field, scoring Cottrell for the 1-0 lead. Hall made it 3-0 with a two-run single down the left field line, before a Brad Clemens sacrifice fly gave the Eagles a four-run cushion after two innings of play.
Eastern added to its lead in the fourth, scoring four more runs. After Connor Schilling was hit by a pitch and Clemens reached first on a bunt single, McHale scorched his second home run of the season over the left-center field wall to push the advantage to 7-0. Hunsberger drove in his second run of the evening a few moments later, singling home Cottrell to put the Eagles fully in control. Cottrell capped off the scoring for the Eagles in the fifth frame, recording his team-leading 22 RBI on a fielders choice.
The Highlanders were able to get two runs back in the sixth, but Hutchinson shot the door over the final 3.2 frames, putting an exclamation point on an excellent night of baseball for the Eagles.
"We put a complete game together today," Eastern Head Coach Scott Renauro said. "Joziah had a real quality start, and the offense has been coming around recently…but today, we were able to break it open a little bit more. We were able to get the big hits when we needed them."
The Eagles will be back in action on the road tomorrow, making the quick trek to Collegeville to take on Ursinus in a pair of contests. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm.
