MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville stole 20 bases and hit four runs in a doubleheader sweep of Goldey-Beacom, winning the games by scores of 15-6 and 8-2. 

It was a match-up of teams that had been to the NCAA regional in each of the last two seasons, but Millersville's lineup proved too much. In both games, Goldey-Beacom kept the game close until home runs broke ties. Matthew Williams' blast in the fifth inning of game one started a seven-run fifth inning, and in game two, Sam Morris broke a 2-2 tie with a solo shot in the sixth. Williams hit two home runs in the opener, and Morris hit two in the nightcap. Morris finished his day with five hits, six RBIs and two stolen bases. 

"We didn't situationally hit for the first four or five innings, but in the middle of the game we had six of eight plate appearances where we barrelled the ball," said Millersville head coach Jon Shehan. "The Sam Morris at-bat was relentless. He fouled off five or six pitches, hit a big home run, and got us going late."

Along with 16 hits in game one, Millersville stole eight bases. Bren Taylor, who went 5 for 8 with four RBIs and five runs in the doubleheader, swiped three. Jeff Sabater's four steals helped Millersville to 12 in game two. Sabater stole six bases on the day. 

"(Jimmy Losh) has really done a great job with base-running this year, and Bobby Dorta did a great job with it last year," said Shehan. "Our guys are bought in. It's an identity thing now. They trust the system, go out and execute. That's what it's all about."

Goldey-Beacom jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning of Saturday's opener and scored first again in game two. Game one starter, Conor Cook (1-1), settled in nicely after a rocky first and put zeroes on the board for four consecutive innings. He allowed three runs in the sixth after a long sit in the dugout as his offense put up seven runs in the bottom of the fifth. Gavin Lill and Jordan Oliver combined to close out the final 1 2/3. 

Connor Blantz (1-0) was stellar as Millersville's starter in game two. He struck out 10 and walked one while allowing one earned run in six innings. After Morris gave Millersville a 3-2 lead in the sixth, Blantz handed the ball to Williams, who picked up a save with three scoreless innings of relief. Williams reached base four times as a hitter in the doubleheader and then struck out three batters on the mound. 

"One of our biggest goals this season was to, No. 1, have Matthew be more consistent at the plate, which he has done so far," said Shehan. "His approach has gotten more mature. He's going into year three with 400 plate appearances, so that's going to happen. Our other goal was to use him more on the mound. We lost 100-plus innings, and we need quality innings. He's a strike thrower with three quality pitches. We are hoping to stretch him out and maybe be a game four guy, a mid-week guy, or maybe a stopper. We'll put him in a bunch of different situations."

SHEHAN HITS NO. 600

• The game one victory for Millersville was the 600th of Shehan's career. Shehan is now 601-276-1, ranking first among active PSAC coaches and 11th among all active Division II coaches in winning percentage. Now in his 18th season, he has led Millersville to 14-consecutive winning seasons and 11-straight NCAA regional appearances. 

TAYLOR CLIMBS THE RECORD BOOKS

• Continuing on the close from his 2023 season, Bren Taylor has produced a hit in 15 consecutive games. His five-hit day boosted his career total to 264, moving him past Jimmy Losh into fourth place in Millersville history. He also passed Cole Friese (2017-21) and Tyler Orris (2013-16) for third place in career runs scored with 199. 

UP NEXT

• Millersville has won four in a row since losing the opener. The Marauders return to Cooper Park on Wednesday, March 5 to take on Jefferson in a nine-inning game.