MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - There was a sudden power surge Friday at Cooper Park. Millersville hit a season-high four home runs, including two from Cole Houser, to beat Seton Hill 9-4 in game one of the NCAA Super Regional. 

Despite the Marauders' success, which now includes 44 wins in 52 games, they have continually searched for consistent offensive production from the bottom half of the line-up. Hitters one through nine made an impact Friday.  Houser, hitting in the No. 6 spot, drove in three runs, hit a full-count, two-out, two-run home run as part of a five-run fourth inning, and then hit a solo shot in the sixth. Justin Taylor went back-to-back with Houser in the fourth, and No. 9 hitter Chase Simmons hit the first pitch of the fifth over the left field wall for a home run. 

"I'll be honest, man, I prayed about our lineup this morning," said Millersville head coach Jon Shehan. "We had contributions up and down the line-up. It hasn't just been nine guys this season. It's been 10, 11, 12. Some days it's John Seibert, some days it's Cole Houser. It's been fun to watch. (Justin Taylor) didn't get a shot to play a lot earlier this season and didn't really get an opportunity, and he just shows up in the playoffs every year."
 
Seton Hill (48-12) had not allowed nine runs in a game since March 10, and Millersville had not scored nine runs in the postseason. It was the first time since April 16, 2021, that Millersville hit four home runs in a game. Eight of Millersville's nine hitters recorded a hit. Bren Taylor, Sam Morris and Keegan Soltis also had two hits. 

Carson Kulina (9-1) drew the assignment of slowing a potent Seton Hill lineup. The Griffins had scored 10 or more runs in seven of its first nine postseason games, but it looked like any other Friday afternoon start for the Marauder senior. Seton Hill jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a Jack Oberdorf solo homer in the first and a Nick Sweeney two-out, RBI double in the fourth. But buoyed by Millersville's five-run outburst in the fourth, Kulina retired the Griffins in order in the fifth and sixth innings. He surrendered two runs on five hits and two walks while striking four. He worked into the seventh throwing an efficient 77 pitches. 
"(Seton Hill) is aggressive, but we just kept telling the kids all week that they haven't seen our pitching staff," said Shehan. "Our pitching staff is good, and we know they're good. We can flat out pitch. It's 15 guys out there getting it done. Kulina did what he's done all year. He's gonna keep you in the game and give you a chance to win. He just keeps attacking."

Millersville knocked Seton Hill starter Jon McCullough (5-2) in the fifth and added three more runs off the bullpen. Millersville reliever Nate Young sat down all three batters he faced in the seventh but gave Seton Hill life by walking the bases loaded in the eighth. Colby Gromlich entered, got a pop-up for out No. 1, gave up a sacrifice fly to Max Mandler for out No. 2, and then struck out pinch hitter Colin Marinpetro to end the threat. Gromlich got into trouble in the ninth but navigated his way through another bases-loaded jam. 
 
The best-of-three series resumes Saturday at 11 a.m., and Friday's win puts Millersville a victory away from advancing to the NCAA Division II Championships for the fourth time in program history. Seton Hill has been in this spot before, however. Last weekend, after losing game two of the regional at home, they won three games in a row, including two against Mercyhurst on the final day. Seton Hill has not lost a series in 2022 and has not lost back-to-back games since May 4. Millersville is now 4-0 all-time against the Griffins at Cooper Park. 

"Our kids are confident and just have to believe," said Shehan. "We've been in this situation before, but it's about staying in the moment and taking it one pitch at a time."

NOTES
• Friday's game saw one of the largest crowds in the history of Cooper Park. It was noticeable to Shehan and the Marauders. "It was special," said Shehan. "I can't thank everyone enough, the fans, the admin, and everybody who's worked hard to put this event on."
• Jimmy Losh scored Millersville's first run in the fourth inning and that was his 218th career run, moving him within one of Chas McCormick '17 for the Millersville career record. Thomas Caufield recorded his 23rd double of the season, which moves him into a tie for second with his head coach, Jon Shehan.