Baseball Sweeps Altoona in Doubleheader on Day One of Spring Break Trip
The St. John Fisher College baseball team swept its way to a 3-0 record by taking two against Penn State Altoona on Saturday afternoon at the Chain of Lakes Park in Winter Haven, FL. Fisher returns to action again tomorrow at 12 p.m. when it faces No. 24 Aurora University in a single game.
Game One: Fisher 4, Altoona 3 (8 innings)
Fisher came back from a three run deficit to win in an extra inning when Sean Osterman scored from second base on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning. Osterman reached earlier in the inning on a fielder’s choice and moved to second on a throwing error by the second baseman.
Dave VanGorder had the hit of the day, pinch hitting in the five slot and ripping a double to right centerfield on the first pitch he saw, scoring Osterman from second base to knot the game at 3-3in the bottom of the sixth.
The Cardinals’ pitching staff had a great outing, as Sean Badger got his first career start in a Fisher uniform. The junior transfer went four innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on five hits with three strikeouts. Mike Rynerson took the next two innings on the hill, allowing just two hits while fanning three. Ryan Trauger relieved Rynerson in the seventh and threw two innings of one hit ball with a strikeout to earn the win.
Bryant Moore drove in Fisher’s first run in the fifth with a hit over the first baseman’s head, scoring Mike Roman who had pinch ran for Matt Creenan after a walk.
The Cardinals’ other run came solely from Ben Bostick, who led off the sixth inning with a triple to deep centerfield before scoring on a wild pitch.
Game Two: Fisher 9, Altoona 5
Fisher’s bats awoke in the fifth inning, scoring six runs on six hits, including a double by Nick Flemister that scored Chris Roeder, proving to be the eventual game-winner.
Ace Justin D’Amato got the start in game two, but was relieved after 3.1 innings, allowing just two hits but giving up two runs and three walks.
An out later, Adam Pettinella entered the game and threw 1.1 innings for the win. The left-handed pitcher gave up four hits and two runs while earning a strikeout. Aaron Benton and Erin Moskal closed out the final two innings, giving up just three hits and one run with a strikeout combined.
Flemister finished 2-for-2 with two RBI and a walk while Brad Rush and Roeder both finished with two hits apiece. Rush had a triple with two runs scored and a run batted in while Roeder had a double, scored twice and drove in another.
Also finishing with two RBI was Ben Bostick, who added another triple to his day, and Mike Fahy. Fahy and Bostick both scored as well.