Baseball sweeps Bethany in non-league action

After being down, 5-4, the Muskingum baseball team scored four runs in the top of the seventh to win the opener in comeback fashion, 8-5, at non-conference opponent Bethany on Monday. Muskingum also claimed the nightcap, 15-6.

The Basics 

• Records: Muskingum (14-19 overall), Bethany (8-19 overall)
• Location: Bethany, W.Va. – Bethany Park

Game One Highlights

Bethany opened the bottom of the first inning with two runs and scored two more in the second to hold an early 4-0 lead in game one. In the top of the third inning with bases loaded and no outs, senior Brad Donathan walked, allowing freshman Matt Stewart to score the first run. On the next play, junior Michael Pagano grounded into double play, which gave senior Eddie Harper the opportunity to collect the second run. The Bison hit an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning to push their advantage, 5-2. A triple by Stewart allowed freshman Luke Currie to score the third run in the fourth inning, while Donathan notched the fourth run in the fifth to get within one, 5-4. Pagano opened the seventh inning by smacking a solo home run to give the Muskies the advantage. A few plays later, Muskingum scored on back-to-back-to-back plays. Junior Marc Ibarra scored, followed by a sacrifice fly by Stewart, and an RBI single by Harper ended the Muskies' tally. Muskingum held Bethany scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to win game one. 

Inside the Numbers - Game One

• Muskingum scored eight runs on eight hits and committed two errors.
• Stewart notched a triple, run scored, and two RBIs.
• Currie finished the contest with a double and two runs scored.
• Pagano hit a homer, scored one run, and an RBI.
• Donathan collected one hit, one run scored, and an RBI.
• Freshman Caden Mumaw had one hit and an RBI.
• With bases loaded, Donathan walked, allowing Stewart to score the first run in the top of the third inning. On the next play, Pagano grounded into a double play, which gave Harper the opportunity to score the second run. Harper opened the inning with a walk.
• In the fourth inning, Stewart tripled to bring Currie across the plate for the fourth run. Currie reached base on the double down the right field line.
• The Muskies tallied four runs in the seventh inning. Pagano smashed a solo dinger to right field to open the inning. Junior Marc Ibarra scored the second run, Van Wey scored the third run off a sacrifice fly from Stewart, and Currie scored the fourth run from an RBI single by Harper. Ibarra got on base from a hit by pitch, Van Wey walked, and Currie reached on a fielder's choice. 
• Freshman Nolan Fernandes posted his fourth win from the mound, allowing five runs on seven hits, and struck out four.
• Bethany scored five runs on seven hits.
• Kelaen Welch went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored.
• Neil Woods was dealt the loss after allowing four runs on two hits.

Game Two Highlights

The Muskies were red hot in game two as they accrued four fours in the top of the third and seven in the fourth inning to take a commanding 11-0 lead. The Bison notched three runs in the bottom of the fifth to get on the board. Muskingum gained four more runs in the top of the seventh, while Bethany added three more in the bottom of the seventh inning to complete the game.   

Inside the Numbers - Game Two

• Muskingum scored 15 runs on 19 hits. The 19 hit performance ties there season-high, which they accomplished against Hiram earlier this season.
• Harper led the Muskies by going 4-for-6 at the plate, with two runs scored and two RBIs.
• Donathan went 2-for-2 at the dish with two runs scored and three RBIs.
• Ibarra went 3-for-5 at the plate, which included two doubles, with three runs scored and three RBIs.
• Junior Ben Van Wey went 2-for-3 at the plate, which included a double, two RBIs and a run scored.
• Freshman Cole Rostash and freshman Nick Bilyeu each added an RBI.
• Muskingum registered four runs in the top of the third inning. Stewart scored on an error, Harper scored off an RBI single from Donathan, Donathan scored from Ibarra's single down the right field line, Ibarra scored the fourth run from an RBI single by Van Wey. Stewart opened the inning with a single to left field, Harper singled to second base, Donathan singled to right field, and Ibarra singled down the right field line.
• The Muskies belted seven runs in the top of the fourth inning. A two-run single by Donathan scored Harper and Stewart. Muskingum then scored back-to-back-to-back runs starting with junior Holden Martin who scored off Ibarra's double, a sacrifice fly by freshman Caden Mumaw allowed Donathan to cross the plate, and a double down the left field side by Van Wey brought Ibarra in for the run. Later in the inning, Harper hit a two-run single, which allowed Currie and Van Wey to score. Stewart and Harper both singled to left field to get on base, while Martin reached first on a fielding error.
• Muskingum accumulated four more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Back-to-back-to-back runs started with a double down the right field line, giving freshman Ryan Hernandez the opportunity to run across the plate, while junior Nate Mejia scored from Mumaw's double, and Rostash grounded out to shortstop allowing Ibarra to score. A ground out to first base from Bilyeu allowed Mumaw to collect the final run. Hernandez opened the inning with a walk and Mejia singled through the left side.
• Bigrigg registered the win after pitching in six innings and allowing three runs on six hits.
• Bethany scored six runs on eight hits.
• Jake Stemmerich went 2-for-3 with one run scored and team-high four RBIs for the Bison.
• Hunter Kaschke started the game and pitched three innings after allowing four runs on six hits.

Up Next

• Muskingum next plays at non-conference opponent Ohio Wesleyan for a single game on Wednesday, April 25. Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.