Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
With winter still in full swing up north, the Mountain Cat baseball team made the trip to Pembroke, N.C. this weekend to kick-off the 2015 season at perennial power UNC-Pembroke.  After not being able to practice outside for more than four months, Pitt-Johnstown suffered 13-7 and 14-5 to the Braves in Saturday's doubleheader opener.
 
In game one, UNC-Pembroke opened-up a 9-0 lead after five innings and went on to defeat the Mountain Cats 13-7.
 
After falling behind, the Mountain Cats answered with three runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings, but the Braves answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the eighth to secure the win.
 
Luke Williams went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI, and Lino Bravo drove in a pair to lead Pitt-Johnstown.  Sean Sleigh collected two hits and drove in a run, while Ernesto Rizzitano and Nate Negri each had two hits for the Mountain Cats, who finished with 12 hits.
 
Ken Gault suffered the loss on the mound after getting the start and allowing four runs (3 earned) on four hits in 2.2 innings.  Gault also struck out three and walked seven.
 
Zade Denton belted a home run and drove in four, and Drew Beaver had three hits, including two doubles, and three RBI for UNC-Pembroke.
 
In the nightcap, UNC-Pembroke ran out to a 12-4 fourth-inning lead and coasted to the 14-5 win.
 
Jake Stern had two hits and drove in a pair, and Dillon Boyer and Sleigh each chipped in two hits for the Mountain Cats.  Rizzitano and Williams also had one RBI each.
 
Tyler Black surrendered eight runs (6 earned) on seven hits over the first two innings and took the loss for Pitt-Johnstown.
 
The Braves got two hits, including a homerun from Collins Cuthrell and two hits and three RBI apiece from Nolan Pierce and Drew Cole to help UNC-Pembroke complete the sweep.
 
The Mountain Cats wrap-up the four-game series at UNC-Pembroke on Sunday with a doubleheader at 11:30 a.m., before traveling to Williamston, N.C. next weekend to play a four-game non-conference series against 19^th-ranked Millersville.