AUBURNDALE, Fla- Trailing 8-2 entering the eighth inning, the Pitt-Greensburg baseball team rallied for three runs in the eighth and added a run in the ninth but the rally fell short as it dropped an 8-6 decision to Ohio Northern Tuesday afternoon.
Offense was plentiful Tuesday as the two sides combined for 14 runs and 26 hits. Ohio Northern plated right runs on 14 hits, while Pitt-Greensburg managed six runs on 12 knocks and drew two base-on-balls.
Mike Spadafore (New Freedom, PA, Susquehannock) led the way at the plate for the Bobcats going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while
Tyler Holland (Pittsburgh, PA, Baldwin),
Chris Common (Trafford, PA, Penn-Trafford), and
Dylan Pounds (Houston, PA, West Liberty) each collected two hits for Pitt-Greensburg. Spadafore was a force at the leadoff position collecting two doubles on the afternoon, while Common also collected two doubles in the number three spot in the batting order.
Pitt-Greensburg once again was the first to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. Spadafore and Holland led off with back-to-back singles and
Ryan Dodson (Bethel Park, PA, Davis & Elkins) was granted first base after being hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pounds came through with an RBI to put the Bobcats in the lead.
Ohio Northern would come roaring back as they struck for two runs in the third and added four runs in the fourth to take a 6-1 advantage heading into the fifth inning.
The Bobcats got a run back in the fifth as Spadafore drew a one-out walk and Holland followed with a single to put runners on first and second with just one out. Common was the next to bat for Pitt-Greensburg, and the sophomore DH came through with a double down to right field line which scored Spadfore from second base.
It looked as if the Bobcats would do more damage in the inning, but Dodson grounded into a fielder's choice to the third baseman who threw the baseball to home plate for the force out, and Pounds fly out to right field to end the inning.
The Polar Bears were at it again in the sixth and seventh plating a run in both frames and it looked as if the visitors would cruise in for the victory.
Matt Bashioum (Belle Vernon, Pa, Belle Vernon) made his season-debut on the mound in the eighth and shut Ohio Northern down allowing just one hit. The crafty lefty was solid once again in the ninth as he allowed just one hit, but shut the door to give the Bobcats a chance at trying the game.
Common was at it again in the eighth smacking a leadoff double down the right field line and Dodson drew a walk, which forced Ohio Northern to head to the bullpen. After the pitching change, Pounds smashed an single and
Patrick Aul (Pittsburg, Pa, CCAC South) was brought on as a pinch hitter and he came through with an RBi ground out which scored the second run of the inning for Pitt-Greensburg.
Zack Zimmerman (Derry, PA, Derry) followed Aul with another RBI single and later in the inning Pounds crossed the plate on a wild pitch as the Bobcats erupted for three runs on three hits.
Trailing 8-5 with three outs to go,
Mike Parlak (Connellsville, PA, Connellsville) was brought on as a pinch hitter and he ripped a double down the right field line and Spadafore followed up with his second double of the game as he smashed a long fly ball over the centerfielder's head which drove in Parlak. Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the next three batters could not get the offense going and the rally fell short as Ohio Northern came out on top 8-6.
Pitt-Greensburg returns to action tomorrow when it plays its final game in Florida against Juniata at 9:00 a.m.
