MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Despite the brisk conditions to start Geneva's baseball game in South Carolina on Tuesday morning, sophomore pitcher Kaden Peeples' arm was hot as the right-hander threw a complete game for the GTs. His performance on the mound was enough to clinch a 5-3 win for the men over Penn State Shenango, the fourth consecutive victory for the GTs since losing their opener. Geneva's record improves to 4-1 on the season, while Penn State Shenango goes to 0-1 after dropping their first game of the year.

After Peeples held Shenango to zero hits in the top of the first, Geneva scored in the bottom half of the inning by way of three consecutive singles from sophomore Bradley McGuire, junior Kirk Bearjar, and senior Zach Lemansky, with Lemansky picking up the RBI. The Golden Tornadoes put up three more runs in the next inning, with senior Zack Sackett pushing one across after a single by sophomore Josh Hull and a double off the bat of senior Eric Gonzalez had put men on second and third. Gonzalez came home to score after a Shenango error kept the inning alive, and Bearjar picked up an RBI before the frame ended to give Geneva a solid 4-0 lead.

Three Lion hits in the top of the third helped the Penn State branch close the gap to two runs, 4-2, before the bats went silent for both teams. There were a combined three hits over the next 2.5 innings as Peeples and Shenango starter Nick Osborne went back-and-forth on the mound, but then a sacrifice fly from the Lions in the top of the sixth inning made it a one-run game.

Junior Aaron Babu hit a booming double down the left-field line in the bottom of the sixth. After Babu made it to third base on a passed ball, Gonzalez ripped an RBI-single through the right side of the infield to send him home and give Geneva a little wiggle room.

The GTs threatened again in the seventh inning, loading up the bases with one out, but a nice double play from Shenango put an end to the danger. Peeples retired the batters in order in the seventh and eighth innings, and despite allowing two baserunners in the top of the ninth he used two strikeouts to close the inning and secure the victory for Geneva.

Peeples finished with eight strikeouts, a career-high for the transfer sophomore, throwing a full 9.0 innings. He allowed just two earned runs, three total, on nine hits, and did not issue a single walk. Gonzalez led the way for the men at the plate, hitting 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Bearjar also finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, and McGuire hit 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.

Geneva's spring break stretch continues with two games tomorrow against Penn State Beaver, one at 10:00 a.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m.

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).