IMMACULATA, Pa.– Eastern University Baseball used a big fourth inning and solid pitching to pick up a 5-4 win at Immaculata University in the first meeting between the two local programs since 2016.
Trent MacDougall hit a bases-clearing double to cap a four-run rally in the fourth.
Owen DeLong,
Blake Weinstein, and
Gage Curnane struck out seven Mighty Macs while walking only three to secure the win.
The Eagles (13-22) turned a MacDougall walk into a single run in the third inning. The sophomore center fielder advanced to third on a failed pick off attempt and came home on a sacrifice fly from Thomas Koslusky.
DeLong allowed one hit per inning in the first three to give the Eagles a chance to expand their lead in the fourth.
Luke Meehan led off the decisive inning with a double — his second of three hits on the afternoon. He moved to third on a. Passed ball and scored on a
Matthew Gonglik ground out. The Eagles then restarted the rally when
Brian Lang reached on an error and
Brock Langlotz singled to center. Including his 1-for-4 afternoon today, Longlotz has reached safely in five of his last 12 plate appearances.
After a fly out to left,
Zach Mornell loaded the bases with a single to right. MacDougall unloaded the bases with a two-out double to left-center.
Down 5-0, the Mighty Macs grabbed a run back with a couple singles and a couple bunts in the bottom of the fourth. The hosts then grabbed two more with four hits in the bottom of the fifth. DeLong allowed three tuns over 4.1 innings before being replaced by Weinstein. Weinstein allowed one run on two hits over 2.2 innings. Weinstein, a transfer from Cabrini, pitched against the Mighty Macs in the Atlantic East Tournament. Immaculata won that game 34-11. The Mighty Macs went on to win that tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
Curnane pitched the final two innings. The junior allowed just one hit while striking out four to earn his first career save.
With his three hits today, Meehan moves into a tie with Timmy Gorton for the second spot on Eastern's single-season hit list. He came into the day one hit behind current head coach
Scott Renauro and two hits behind Renarau's teammate Dan Garcia. Gorton had his big year in 2017, Renauro and Garcia hit their big seasons in 2010. Meehan trails only Angelo Kelly, who had 66 hits in 2016. HIs 85 total bases is the most be an Eastern player since Joe Grato had 89 in 2016.
The Eagles will play a doubleheader at Marywood tomorrow before ending the year with a three-game set against Stevenson.
