Game 1
Game 2

Millersville, Pa. - The Millersville baseball team needed at least one victory in Friday's PSAC Eastern Division doubleheader against Kutztown to stay in the race for the PSAC Tournament. Behind a gutsy pitching effort from Forrest Mengle and a clutch home run from Cody Wile, the Marauders notched the win it needed by a 2-0 score in game two.

Millersville (23-22, 9-13 PSAC East) dropped a tough 2-0 decision in the opener, though, and now needs to take both games at Kutztown Saturday and receive some help. Millersville, East Stroudsburg and Mansfield all entered the final weekend series with 8-12 conference marks, but because of tiebreakers, Millersville needed one more win than both Mansfield and East Stroudsburg to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Despite losing in game one, the Marauders valiantly battled Kutztown's ace, Darin Gorski (7-1) through seven innings. Derek Kline (3-3) pitched brilliantly, scattering four hits and surrendering just two unearned runs in the top of the sixth that followed an untimely Millersville throwing error. Kline still struck out seven and walked one in 6.2 innings of work.

Gorski, which entered the game with a 1.69 ERA, gave up three hits and three walks, and Millersville threatened just once when in the bottom of the sixth Kline reached on a walk, and senior Andrew Dochterman ripped one of his two singles to right center. Wile, however, grounded out to end the inning.

In game two, though, Wile received redemption. Kutztown starter Trent Mertz (2-3) kept the Marauders scoreless into the sixth, but Miles Gallagher doubled to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. And with two outs, Wile hit a first-pitch fastball over the left-center field wall, giving the Marauders a 2-0 lead.

Mengle (6-3), who allowed just one hit in the game, worked into the seventh, and after walking the first batter, he got James Quigley to roll into a 5-4-3 double play. Chad Lightcap worked a walk for the Golden Bears, so Millersville called on Andrew Clemens to make the final out. He did just that, earning his fourth save of the year.

Mengle struck out five but overcame four walks and three Millersville errors to pitch 6.2 scoreless innings.

Gallagher led the Marauders with two hits. Ryan McCormick and Adam Boyd also recorded singles.

Friday was also Senior Day for five Millersville seniors. Clemens, Wile, Doctherman, Lance Miller, Scott Slembecker played their final games at the Millersville University Baseball Stadium and were recognized prior to game one. All five seniors played a role in Millersville's recent success. In the last two years, the team has totaled 48 victories and a PSAC Eastern Division title.
 
Games three and four of the series begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Kutztown.