The Elizabethtown College baseball team got the best of Lycoming College last Sunday, April 7 in Williamsport, Pa. The Blue Jays took both games of a doubleheader, taking game one 8-5 and game two 5-3 in extra innings. These wins create a surge of momentum for Etown, as they continue their strong season and move to 17-7.
Game one saw a slew of Blue Jay batters have stand out performances. Second-year first baseman Quinten Perilli had himself a day with three hits in six at-bats, which included a double and a home run that extended Etown’s lead to 4-0. Fourth-year right fielder AJ Bednar also came through in a big way. In the top of the first, he sparked a three run inning with an RBI single and once again came through with another base knock to give Etown a comfortable lead in the eighth. First-year catcher Griffin Partridge and third-year designated hitter RJ Agriss also drove in runs, each putting one across the plate with sacrifices.
There were also some strong appearances on the pitching side of things that paved the way for a game one victory. First-year pitcher Joey Smith got the start and hurled four innings of three run ball, one run coming in unearned. Fourth-year Justin Peterson took the bump in relief and went three innings of his own, allowing just one run and striking out four. Graduate student pitcher Zach Silfies got the nod for the final two innings and didn’t disappoint. He’d strike out three and allow just one run to secure the 16th win of the season for the Blue Jays.
The story of the opening game was timely hitting, solid pitching and taking advantage of mistakes. The Blue Jays benefitted from six Lycoming errors that opened the door for a big win to start the day.
Game two was much more of a back and forth duel that saw the game go to extras, ending in 10. Both teams would find themselves down but wouldn’t be out, trading blows. Once again, Lycoming would commit six errors, which gave Etown the momentum they’d need to stay in the game and eventually win 5-3.
On the offensive side, fourth-year second baseman Bryce Keller delivered the knockout blow. His two RBI single propelled the Blue Jays over the edge in extras for the 17th win of the year. Perilli once again proved to be a nuisance for Lycoming pitching and reached base five times. This included three walks, a hit by a pitch and a single, crossing the plate once. Second-year Mason Woolwine also had a big game at the dish with two singles and a walk, an effort that saw him put Etown in front in the seventh inning with an RBI single to left. Third-year catcher Joe Limongelli had the other RBI with a double down the line to get the scoring started in the fourth inning.
The second game of the doubleheader was another solid showing from the Blue Jays’ pitching staff. Third-year pitcher Kyle Mulville got his seventh start of the year and had a nice outing. The starter went six and two-thirds of an inning, letting three runs across, but just one of those was earned. In relief, first-year pitcher Maximus Polun got Etown out of the inning and it’d be a shutout from that point on. After Polun got the out, Silfies once again came on for the final three innings and struck out six and allowed just one hit in a dominant scoreless outing to earn the win.
This strong team effort helped push the Blue Jays to a three-game winning streak and they now sit at 10-3 in Landmark Conference play. This upcoming weekend, the Blue Jays will travel to Immaculata, Pa. where they’ll take on Immaculata University at noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 for another doubleheader.
