BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Golden Tornadoes stuck with Allegheny College in both games of Tuesday's doubleheader but couldn't snatch the win in either instance, falling 6-2 in game one before losing 9-8 in walk-off fashion in game two. The GTs now sit at 11-15 overall, 3-9 in conference play, while Allegheny remains close to the top of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) standings with an overall record of 19-7, 10-2 in the PAC.
Things started off well for the Golden Tornadoes in game one, as they picked up two base hits in the top of the first inning from senior Tim Hermansen and junior Zack Sackett. Both runners ended up being stranded, however, and Allegheny gained control in the bottom of the inning when they scored to take a 1-0 lead.
Geneva continued to play well defensively, and junior starting pitcher Caleb Graft had allowed just three hits through six innings, albeit allowing three runs on those hits. The GTs were easily outhitting the Gators but had managed just one run on an RBI-single from Hermansen in the fifth inning. Heading into the seventh, the men were trailing 3-1.
The first two batters of the inning for Geneva reached on a walk and a hit-by-pitch, and then a beautiful sacrifice bunt from freshman Michael Twigg advanced each of them one base. With just one out and runners on second and third, the Golden Tornadoes could not make a play to send a runner home, and they ended the top half of the frame without scoring a run. The Gators took over in the bottom of the seventh and scored twice more, giving them complete control of the game. Sophomore Kirk Bearjar would end up scoring on a wild pitch in the eighth inning, but Allegheny went on to take the first game 6-2 despite Geneva outhitting their PAC opponent 8-7.
Graft had a good outing on the mound overall, giving up five runs, just three of them earned, through 7.0 innings. He struck out three batters and walked two.
Hermansen was the top performer at the plate for the men, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Bearjar also went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
The GTs got out to a much better start offensively in game two, with the first four batters of the game reaching base on hits, highlighted by an RBI-double from Sackett and a two RBI-double from Bearjar. The Gators responded in the bottom of the second, plating four runs of their own to take their first lead of the game. They padded their advantage in the fourth inning, scoring three more times to take a commanding 7-3 lead.
Geneva would not go down easily, however, as senior David Toruno blasted a two-run home run in the fifth inning to put the GTs within two runs. Sackett swatted an RBI-single into left field one inning later, and just like that it was a one-run game.
The men did not slow down in the seventh inning, with freshman Aiden Garcia recording an RBI-single to tie the game. An Allegheny throwing error on the next at-bat allowed the GTs to score again to take an 8-7 lead. Geneva's advantage didn't last long, however, as Allegheny used a sacrifice fly to even the score at 8.
The GTs put runners on first and third with two outs in the top half of the eighth inning but could not garner a run to take the lead. The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth inning, where Allegheny loaded up the bases and then used a sacrifice fly to bring home the winning run.
Sophomore Jacob McFarland pitched well in relief, giving up just two runs on four hits over 4.2 innings. He struck out four and walked two. Sophomore Ryan Conover got the start in the loss.
Sackett and Bearjar had near identical stat lines offensively, as both players went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored. Toruno recorded two RBIs on his home run, and Hermansen went 2-for-4 with a run for another solid performance in game two.
The men are not scheduled to play again until Friday, when they are set to host Kent State Tuscarawas in a non-conference doubleheader. They will then play Westminster in another home doubleheader on Saturday.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
