Williamston, N.C. - Playing its first tripleheader since 2003, Millersville baseball scored three lopsided wins over PSAC West foe Pitt-Johnstown Saturday in Williamston, N.C. The Marauders' won game one 9-1 behind a strong outing from
Chris Murphy. Millersville held off a late UPJ charge in game two for an 11-8 win, and Millersville cranked out 15 hits in a 10-1 win in game three.
Millersville (4-2) has visited Williamston for neutral site series in all but one season since 2010 and have posted a 14-2 record in the town, scoring at least eight runs in 10 of those wins. Millersville's starting pitching gave up five runs in 14 innings of work.
Chris Murphy gave up one in six innings in the opener.
Dylan Boisclair provided three shutout innings out of the pen to score the win in game two,
Brandon Miller threw five innings and allowed one run in game three.
Chas McCormick shook off a 1-for-9 Winston-Salem State series by going 6-for-12 with nine RBIs, two steals and three runs scored Saturday.
Dan Neff also had a big day with five hits in nine at bats, a walk, a HBP, a steal and four runs scored.
Tyler Orris recorded six hits and six RBIs in the set.
Dan Stoltzfus hit homers in games two and three.
GAME 1Murphy (2-0) won for the second time in as many starts this season, allowing one run on six hits while striking out four. Murphy has allowed only one run and walked just one batter in 13 innings this season. His efforts on Saturday were buoyed by an offense that scored six runs in the first two innings. The four runs in the second inning came on one swing of McCormick's bat. His first career grand slam put the Marauders in front, 6-0.
The lone run that Murphy allowed was a solo home run from Lino Bravo in the top of the fifth. Millersville tacked on three more in the bottom of the fifth, though. McCormick recorded his career-high fifth RBI of the game with a bases loaded walk.
Dan Neff went 2-for-2 and scored twice.
Mitch Stoltzfus drove in two and Orris went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
GAME 2Millersville rallied after UPJ's Ernesto Rizzitano hit a three-run home run in top of the first inning. McCormick continued his red-hot hitting with a two-run single that capped a four-run second inning for the Marauders. They never trailed the rest of the way. Stoltzfus plated a run in the fourth to build the lead to 5-3, and Millersville pushed five runs home in the top of the seventh, including a pair of solo bombs from the Stoltzfus cousins.
Millersville needed those additional runs. UPJ got to
Matt Binder in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs on four hits and two walks.
Jesse Mowen came in to get the final out and end the game. Starter
Jim McDade took a no decision after allowing three runs in three innings. Boisclair (1-0) was outstanding for his second consecutive relief appearance, through three shutout innings, allowing just two hits while fanning four. That gave Boisclair seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and four hits allowed this season.
Redshirt freshman
A.J. Hammond reached base three times with two hits, a walk and two runs.
Mitch Stoltzfus went 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.
GAME 3One run in the first inning was all starter
Brandon Miller allowed in his five strong innings. His lineup provided plenty of offense, including Orris' first career home run and
Dan Stoltzfus' second of the day and third of the season. Orris' blast was part of a four-hit game in which he scored twice, stole a base and drove in three runs. McCormick also had two hits and swiped a base. Neff added two hits. Stoltzfus' fifth-inning blast was of the three-run variety.
Miller struck out five and allowed only four hits and a walk after the first inning.
Cody Stoneback and
Sean Stephenson both provided scoreless innings out of the pen.
