WAYNESBURG, PA: A massive comeback rally by the Pitt-Greensburg baseball team to bring things even would usually mean extra innings to decide a winner. But, due to darkness the Bobcats would have to settle for the ever so rare baseball tie with Waynesburg University.
The tie moves Pitt-Greensburg's record to 6-5-1 as Waynesburg now sits at 3-10-1.
Monday's contest would see the Bobcats jump out to an early 1-0 lead after a
Matt Germanoski (Ellwood City, PA, Ellwood City) one-run single brought
Greg Lynn (Ellwood City, PA, Ellwood City) home in the top of the first inning. Unfortunately for UPG, the Yellow Jackets would make the most of their first, plating seven runs in the bottom of the inning to place the Bobcats behind in a big way, trailing 7-1 with eight innings to play.
Waynesburg would add to their lead with another run in the bottom of the fourth, stretching their advantage to 8-1.
Pitt-Greensburg would get one back in the top of the sixth inning when
Mike Maleski (Pittsburgh, PA, Plum) tripled to right center to score
Matt Moyer (Greensburg, PA, Hempfield). The Yellow Jackets would also add a sixth inning run to maintain the seven run lead at 9-2.
The Bobcat bats would get hot in the seventh.
Zach Fodor (West Mifflin, PA, West Mifflin) would pick up a walk to open the inning, followed by an
Anthony Bozzuto (Greensburg, PA, Hempfield) single up the middle to place runners at first and second.
Chad Jacob (Bridgeville, PA, Chartiers Valley) would then deliver a RBI single to left field to plate Fodor and move Bozzuto to second. A hard hit ball to third base by
Anthony Maroadi (North Huntingdon, PA, Norwin) two batters later would then load the bases for UPG. The next two batters, Moyer and Maleski would reach base on a fielder's choice while each picking up an RBI to cut the deficit to 9-5. Ian Hart would walk next, once again loading the bases and setting the stage for a
Tyler Lilja (Greensburg, PA, Hempfield) two-run double to get the Bobcats into striking distance with a 9-7 score. Fodor would then step to bat for the second time in the inning and send a single to right center to score two more runs and bring the game even at 9-9.
Once again Waynesburg would have an answer in the bottom of the inning, plating a single run to recapture the lead 10-9 after seven innings.
After a scoreless eighth, Pitt-Greensburg would move back into the driver's seat in the ninth thanks to a
Mike Parlak (Connellsville, PA, Connellsville) one-run single that tied the game at 10's followed by a passed ball that scored Maleski for the 11-10 Bobcat advantage.
In a true reflection of Monday's game, Waynesburg would hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the ninth, once again knotting things up as darkness ensued, ending the contest in an 11-11 tie.
Maleski led the Pitt-Greensburg offense on the day with a 3-4 performance that included a walk, single, double, triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Jacob would also finish the day with three hits while adding a run scored and a RBI.
After a tough outing by starter
Travis Sanner (Dawson, PA, Frazier), the Bobcat bullpen chipped in to give the Bobcats a chance at the comeback.
Nick Anderson (Brockway, PA, Brockway),
Brandon Hoener (Pittsburgh, PA, Plum),
Cohl Gibbs (Williamstown, NJ, Williamstown),
Adam Dodson (Bethel Park, PA, Bethel Park), and
Joe Stavor (West Mifflin, PA, West Mifflin) would all make appearances in relief.
Pitt-Greensburg is now scheduled to open Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference play this Wednesday, weather permitting, as Mount Aloysius travels to Greensburg for a 1:00pm and 3:30pm double header.
