Box Scores:
Game One |
Game Two
MEADVILLE, Pa. -- With a doubleheader sweep of Oberlin on Saturday, the Allegheny baseball team clinched its first North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament berth since 2007. The Gators earned decisions of 4-3 and 9-1, securing the postseason spot at the Robertson Complex on a walk-off Oberlin error.
In the seventh inning during the opener, the score was tied 3-3 when the Gators (22-10, 10-4) loaded the bases with one out. Zach Nichols grounded into a fielder's choice which had Ben Lowmaster retired at the plate. Pinch-hitter Phil Morrissette then hit a ground ball toward Yeomen first baseman Jack Dunn, who misplayed the ball, allowing Matt Stahl to score the winning run.
Lowmaster led off the frame with a single and moved to second on an Oberlin error. Stahl was intentionally walked, Andy Schleihauf laid down a sacrifice bunt and Jeff Dassner claimed Allegheny's second intentional base-on-balls to load the bases.
Matthew Niedzwiecki (3-1) went the distance for the win. He allowed three runs on four hits while recording three strikeouts and one walk. At one point, Niedzwiecki retired nine straight batters.
The Gators never led until scoring the winner. Oberlin (18-18, 8-8) put up the first runs in the second with an RBI single by Pat Bourke.
Eric Hansen scored a manufactured run to even the game at 1-1 in the third. He reached with a single, advanced to second on an Aaron Lynch sacrifice bunt, moved to third on Ben Lowmaster's groundout and finally crossed the plate on a passed ball.
The visitors took their second lead in the fourth, plating two runs without an RBI hit. Jason James started the rally with a double and Ben Puterbaugh walked. On the next play, Niedzwiecki fielded a sacrifice bunt by Brandon Cantrill and tried to get James out at third, but James beat the throw.
Phinney gave the Yeomen a 2-1 lead with an RBI fielder's choice. Ben Kauder followed with a sacrifice suicide squeeze to score Puterbaugh.
Allegheny evened the score at 3-all in the fifth. Lynch and Lowmaster set the stage with a single and double, respectively. Stahl pulled the Gators within one run with a sacrifice fly. With two outs, the Yeomen misplayed a ground ball hit by Jeff Dassner, allowing Lowmaster to score.
Stahl finished with a 2-for-2 game while Lowmaster went 2-for-3. Nichols (double) and Hansen batted 2-for-4.
For Oberlin, Dunn pitched the first five innings. He struck out seven batters and walked three others. He allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits. Phil Brua (6-3) pitched the final 1 2/3 innings in relief and suffered the loss.
In the nightcap, the Blue and Gold scored eight runs over the final three innings they batted. They took the game's first lead in the first on an RBI groundout by Stahl. Hansen scored the run after being hit by a pitch and then moving to second and third on an error and Lowmaster's sacrifice, respectively.
Oberlin answered back in the third and threatened for more before starting pitcher James Fago escaped a bases-loaded jam. Eric Knight smacked a one-out single and scored on an RBI single by Bourke. After Zach Jaspers walked and James bunted for a single, Fago induced the Yeomen's top hitter, Puterbaugh, to ground into a double play.
Yeomen starter Grady Campion took a no-hitter into the fourth inning before Lowmaster broke it up with a single to start a four-run inning. Stahl added a single and both he and Lowmaster scored on wild pitches, but the Gators were not done yet. Hansen had an RBI infield single; an Oberlin error on the play allowed a second run to score.
The Gators pushed across one run in the fifth, expanding their lead to 6-1, without a hit. Stahl was hit by a pitch, Schleihauf walked, Nichols walked and Mick Betler earned an RBI when he was hit by a pitch.
In the sixth, Allegheny added three more insurance runs. Hansen started up the outburst with a double. Lynch singled, allowing Hansen to score, and moved to third on a Yeomen miscue. Lowmaster contributed an RBI groundout before the final Gator run scored on an error.
Fago (5-2) pitched all seven innings for the home team, giving up one run on four hits. He had four strikeouts and one walk.
At the plate, Hansen was the only multiple hitter, going 2-for-3 with two runs. Stahl scored three times.
Campion (2-4) was the losing pitcher for Oberlin.
The Gators will have a quick turnaround after Saturday's clincher. They will visit Thiel for a 1 p.m. non-conference game on Sunday.