MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - No. 6 Millersville kept No. 15 East Stroudsburg scoreless for more than 13 innings and evened the series with a doubleheader sweep by scores of 2-1 and 5-0.

Parker Frey hit a two-out home run off of Alex Mykut in the top of the first inning in game one, but Mykut responded with 6 1/3 shutout innings, snapping East Stroudsburg's 27-game winning streak and handing the Warriors their first loss since Feb. 18. Hunter Stevens, making his first start in more than two weeks, provided all of the Marauders' offense with a two-run homer. In game two, Zack Tukis, Colby Gromlich and Evan Rishell joined forces to be the first pitchers to shut out East Stroudsburg this season. 

The wins were crucial to Millersville's (31-7, 17-3) PSAC East hopes, as it pulled the club back within a game of the Warriors (30-6, 18-2). 

"Yesterday, we didn't play good baseball and weren't locked in the process," said Millersville head coach Jon Shehan. "That really irked me. We played two bad baseball games. It leaves you sleepless as a coach, but I'm really proud of the way they bounced back today."

After the sweep on Saturday and Frey's early home run, momentum was all on the Warriors' side, but Mykut (9-0) powered his way through the final 6 1/3, striking out six without issuing a walk, and key to his success was three double plays that erased lead-off hitters that reached base. 

"It's maturity," said Shehan. "He pitches like a professional. He gives up a home run in a big game, and it's just like, 'whatever, try to do it again.' He's mentally tough. He could have easily rolled over and think everything is going against us this weekend, but he didn't and put up six zeroes."

Mykut navigated the seven innings in 77 pitches. In the third, fourth and sixth innings, ESU led off with singles, but all three times, Mykut rolled a double play that ended the threat. 

"Early in the season we struggled to turn double plays, and we've worked on it really hard," said Shehan. "Turning three was a sweet thing. Coach Jimmy Losh has coached those guys and worked hard on it, so it's great to see."

Millersville managed just four hits in the game, but Hunter Stevens' opposite-field blast in the second was all the runn support Mykut needed. The homer was Stevens' fourth of the season. 

"He's a good player," said Shehan. "We are just starting to see what he is capable of. As a young guy coming off the ankle break last year, it's cool to see him come off the bench, play selfless baseball and do the job. We stuck Hunter in there with Jimmy Kirk hurt today, and it paid off." 

Also a part of the game one win was Jeff Sabater stealing his 41st base of the season, breaking Millersville's single-season record which had stood since 1987. Sabater made a big impact in the game two win as well, going 2 for 3 with two runs, an RBI and stolen base. 

"Jeff has that element that has set the tone for us," said Shehan. "I give Bobby Dorta a lot of credit. He's done a phenomenal job with base running this year."

Sabater's leadoff single and steal of second got the Marauders rolling in game two, as Matthew Williams singled him home one batter later. Sam Morris drove in Williams for an early 2-0 lead. Cole Houser executed a hit-and-run in the third for a 3-0 lead, and Morris extended Millersville's advantage with a solo homer to lead off the fourth. 

Millersville's trio of pitchers held ESU to three hits, but the Warriors still had opportunities. Millersville walked six and hit a batter, but Tukis, Gromlich and Rishell made pitches when it mattered. The Warriors stranded 11 runners. Tukis pitched two scoreless innings but saw his pitch count reach 44. The Marauders went to Gromlich, who struck out five in 3 2/3 innings. Rishell closed out the final 1 1/3. 

"Gromlich has struggled this year, but his stuff is really good," said Shehan. "Maybe he just needed a change of scenery. The change-up is such a good pitch that it makes his fastball better."

UP NEXT
Millersville travels to Shippensburg on Friday, April 19.