ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Bren Taylor and
Matthew Williams made history, and the eighth-ranked Millersville Marauders won the PSAC East for the fifth time in six seasons by sweeping Friday's doubleheader from East Stroudsburg at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
East Stroudsburg stopped Millersville's run of four consecutive division titles in 2024, but the Marauders entered the four-game series with a one-game lead over the Warriors and left no drama for the final day of the regular season by taking game one 11-3 and holding on for a 4-3 win in the nightcap. It is Millersville's 16th PSAC East title and 11th under Coach
Jon Shehan.
The Marauders struck early and often.
Sam Morris' two-out solo home run capped a four-run inning.
"Winning game one was huge," said Shehan. "We came right out of the gate for the second straight weekend and put together some great A-B's. Throwing that first punch takes the nerves down a notch for sure."
Taylor and Williams played a key role in game one's offensive onslaught. Taylor's two-run single in the seventh was the 307th hit of his career, breaking Chas McCormick's '17 PSAC record for hits. Williams' three-run home run in the fourth was his 13th of the season and 30th of his career, moving him past Cole Friese '22 as Millersville's career leader. Taylor drove in three runs in the opener, and Williams finished his day with four hits, including three hits and four RBIs in game one.
Taylor, a fifth-year senior, stepped away from the program after winning his second PSAC East Athlete of the Year award in 2023, but he returned this season to win his fourth PSAC East title. Taylor was hitting .408 on April 12, but production slowed the last two weeks as he crept closer to the record-setter. In typical Taylor fashion, his 307th hit was lined through the left side of the infield as ESU's shortstop shaded the middle in double-play depth.
"Bren is the best hitter I've been around," said Shehan. "I'll say it again. He's a pro. I do think he was pressing a bit recently. Interestingly enough, he hasn't been chasing bad pitches, though. The A-B's have still been good. Hopefully, it's by him now, and he can get it going."
Millersville totaled 12 hits and drew six walks in game one. The top three hitters in the lineup--
Jeff Sabater,
Keegan Soltis and Williams--combined for seven runs and six hits. After Millersville's four-run first, East Stroudsburg responded with two in the bottom of the inning. But Soltis doubled in a run in the third, and Williams homered in the fourth, pushing Millersville out of reach. 'Ville starter
Connor Blantz struggled with control early, walking two in the first, and was victimized by a fielding error, but he steadied and went 4 2/3 before
Matt Shamany and
Zeb Hufnagle combined to close out the Warriors.
"Blantz was OK today," said Shehan. "He did a good job minimizing big innings, which could have created momentum. Shamany came in and did a solid job, too."
Millersville scored first in game two as well as Sabater tripled in
Donis Rodriguez in the top of the second. Holding a 2-1 lead in the fourth, Soltis delivered again, driving in Rodriguez and Jones with a looping single to left field. East Stroudsburg threatened in the third, loading the bases on
Conor Cook, but Cook stranded the runners, getting a fly out to
Sam Morris in right field. Reliever
Evan Rishell worked into the seventh, but with one out, Jack Rothenhausler hit a home run to pull ESU to within a run.
Gavin Lill entered to get the final out and his seventh save of the season.
Rodriguez and Soltis led the Marauders with two hits apiece. Rishell went 3 2/3 for his first win of the season.
The games were played as part of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs' College Showcase. The fans in attendance included elementary students from the area, making for a lively atmosphere.
"The team was thrilled to have had the opportunity to play at Coca-Cola Park today," said Shehan. "I want to thank Coach (John) Kochmansky, East Stroudsburg, and IronPigs for hosting. It was a class-act event. There had to be 1,500 people there for game one. It's an experience that our kids will never forget."
Millersville and East Stroudsburg close out the regular season Friday under the lights at Cooper Park. Then, on May 7, the Marauders take a No. 1 seed into the PSAC Tournament, an event also hosted at Cooper Park.
