MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - A 10-day break did nothing to slow the streaking Marauders. No. 11 Millersville beat Lock Haven 7-2 Friday, winning its eighth game in a row behind a three-double day from
Cole Houser.
The off-week did wonders for Houser, who had been limited over the last month with an injury. Rested, he also returned to his spot behind the plate for the first time since Feb. 16 and caught the full nine innings. He went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
"With having 10 days off, we were primarily excited about getting Cole back," said Millersville head coach
Jon Shehan. "He showed why we were so happy to get him back in the lineup, and he also goes out catches a great game."
There was no sign of rust for the Millersville lineup as the first three hitters in the bottom of the first inning reached base and all three eventually scored, giving an early lead to a pitching staff that ranks No. 1 in Division II in ERA, WHIP and hits allowed per nine innings.
"(Getting the lead early) was huge," said Shehan. "Anytime you go into a series with the top of our lineup leading it off, there are some nerves for opposing pitchers having to deal with those guys. You'll have your hands full, and it relieves some stress for us as well."
Leadoff hitter extraordinaire
Jimmy Losh went 2-for-3, walked once, stole a base, drove in a run and scored a run.
Bren Taylor, the No. 2 hitter, drew a walk and scored. No. 3 hitter
Thomas Caufield singled a run and scored once. Cleanup hitter
Sam Morris accounted for an RBI, as did
Matthew Williams,
Keegan Soltis, Houser (2) and
Chase Simmons.
Millersville totaled eight hits to Lock Haven's seven, but drew six walks to Lock Haven's two. All of Lock Haven's hits were singles while Millersville totaled four extra-base hits--three doubles from Houser and a triple from Simmons. Millersville also swiped four bases.
Millersville held a 4-2 lead entering the seventh inning, but reliever
Evan Rishell started a streak of seven consecutive batters retired, and in the bottom of the inning, Houser's leadoff double set the stage for RBI hits from Simmons and Losh to break the game open.
Rishell, who now boasts a 0.55 ERA through 10 appearances and 16 1/3 innings, earned his first save after allowing just one hit and retiring nine of the 10 batters he faced. He has not allowed an earned run over his last 11 innings.
"He's got guts," Shehan said of Rishell. "He's super authentic. He knows who he is. He really believes in himself. There are guys that have great stuff and never figure out that they are good. There's something to be said about knowing you are good."
Rece Ritchey also provided 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief work. Starter
Carson Kulina exited following the fourth inning, allowing one run on three hits and two walks and a hit batsman.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
• Kulina has pitched four or more innings in seven of eight appearances and has yet to allow more than one run in any game.
• Caufield extended his hitting streak to eight games, and Losh pushed his to nine.
• Millersville has now started 7-0 in PSAC East play just four times in program history. No Millersville team has ever started divisional play with eight consecutive victories.
• Millersville has scored seven or more runs in six-straight games and has held opponents to four runs or fewer 22 times.
• Friday's win gives Millersville an 18-1 record against Lock Haven in games played at Cooper Park.
UP NEXT
• Millersville closes the series with Lock Haven with a road doubleheader on Sunday, April 2.
