Tate Minich played the hero for the Mountain Cats in game two, belting a clutch solo home run and driving in two runs on a single to right for the game winner. Pitt-Johnstown was able to win the second game over Gannon with a score of 7-6, but dropped the opener 15-9.Â
Pitt-Johnstown is now 14-25 (5-13 PSAC) heading into another doubleheader at Gannon on Sunday.Â
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Game 1: Gannon 15, Pitt-Johnstown 9
After a scoreless first inning from both sides, the Golden Knights collected a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Then in the third Gannon picked up two more runs.
The Mountain Cats began to claw back in the bottom half of the third, starting with a run scoring single from Jared Dowey. Calvin Iseminger followed with a sacrifice fly-out and then Lucas Muffie drove in a run with a single to right, making it a 5-3 game.
Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth, but Gannon broke things open in the top of the fifth with six runs.Â
Pitt-Johnstown was able to respond with two runs, headlined by a run-scoring triple from Dowey. Iseminger drove in Dowey on a groundout.Â
The Golden Knights added four more runs in the seventh and the Mountain Cats went into the last inning down 10.Â
Pitt-Johnstown was able to come away with four runs, headlined by a three-run home run from Muffie. Karson Reffner also drove in a run on a single, but it wasn't enough as the Mountain Cats lost 15-9.
Game 2: Pitt-Johnstown 7, Gannon 6
To start the nightcap, both teams were held scoreless through the first two innings, but Gannon broke things open with a four run third inning.Â
Then the Golden Knights added two insurance runs on a two-run homer in the fourth.Â
Pitt-Johnstown started to chip away in the fourth, courtesy of a two-run homer from Lucas Muffie.Â
The Mountain Cats were able to mount an exciting rally in the seventh inning, ignited by a double from Alex Ebeling. Karson Reffner singled, then Muffie drove Ebeling in on a single. Calvin Iseminger walked, loading the bases for Minich. He drove a line drive to right field, scoring two, giving Pitt-Johnstown a thrilling 7-6 victory.
Jimmy Kunst earned the win in relief, tossing three and one-third scoreless innings. Brian Pirone was the starting pitcher, throwing three and two-thirds, allowing six runs.Â
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Pitt-Johnstown will travel to Gannon on Sunday for a doubleheader with first pitch set for 1 p.m to wrap up the series.
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