Pride Split Twin Bill With Catamounts; Win The Series

By Brendan Loiacono/Sinclair Sports Information

GAME 1

Gradys field at Athletes in Action was the setting for today's games between Sinclair Community College and Potomac State University. The first 3 innings were scoreless for both sides until the Catamounts struck first in the top of the fourth inning when Tre Porter doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a single by Elliot McCummings. The Tartans responded in the bottom of the fifth with a 2 run moonshot homerun to centerfield by Nick McGill, scoring Tyler Raymond, who led off the inning with a single. The Pride tallied two more runs in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single by Sophomore CF Jon Lowe, scoring Austin Downing. One batter later, Lance Straley lined a double down the left field line which sent Jon Lowe sprinting around the bases and safely into home. In the top of the seventh inning with the score at 4-1, the Catamounts tried to ignite a comeback by tacking on two runs, but coming up short as Nathan Helke turned off the lights at the end of the tunnel for Potomac State.  With bases loaded and one out, Helke got McCummings to hit into a 6-4-3 DP.  Sinclair starter Craig Koehler turned in a strong performance for the pride, pitching 5 and 1/3 innings of one run ball. Matt Kruzel came in to relieve Koehler, finishing off the top of the sixth inning but struggled in the seventh before Nathan Helke came in and closed it down.

Final Score: Sinclair 4 Potomac State 3

WP- Craig Koehler 5 1/3 2H ER 4BB's 5K's

SV- Nathan Helke 1IP BB

Offensive Leaders:  Nick McGill 1-3R HR 2 RBI, Jon Lowe 1-3 R RBI, Lance Straley 1-3 2B, RBI, AJ Kruzel 2-3 SB

GAME 2

Potomac State lefty starter Scott Fox had his way with the Tartan offense in game two.  Fox was on top of his game during his dominate 6 inning shutout performance. He allowed just three hits and struck out five Pride batters. Sinclair Starter Zach Ryan did not fare as well, lasting only four frames surrendering three runs, one of which was earned, three hits and three walks while striking out six. Carlos Merlano relieved Ryan for the final three innings, also surrendering three runs during his time on the mound. Potomac State's offense was sparked in the first inning when Zach Stolipher hit a one out double with two men on to take the lead 2-0. Then in the fourth inning, Ron Musto hit a long homerun to make the score 3-0. In the top of the fifth inning with two outs, Stolipher struck again with an RBI single to add to the growing Catamount lead over Sinclair 4-0. Two more runs were scored in the top of the sixth inning with an RBI single from Connar Bastaich and another RBI single by Tre Porter to make it 6-0. Mike Eisel came in to relieve Fox and finished off the Pride offense in the bottom of the seventh.

LP- Zach Ryan 4IP 3R ER 3H 3BB 6K's

Offensive Leaders: Austin Downing 1-2, Darwin Argumedo 1-2, Dustin Cottrell 1-1.