BEAVER FALLS, Pa.- Geneva College's baseball team took the first game in a doubleheader against the University of Olivet on Friday evening, winning 5-4, but they dropped game two to the Comets 10-6. As a result, the Golden Tornadoes' win streak ends at seven consecutive victories, the longest such streak for the men since 2018. The 7-2 record the GTs have posted through their first nine games is one of the better starts to a season in recent memory.

Geneva managed to put two runners on base in the top of the first inning to start game one, and with two outs they were threatening with men on second and third. Unfortunately, both runners were stranded, and the Golden Tornadoes had to wait till the next inning to score.

After reaching base early in the second frame, freshman Marco Chenet made it all the way from first base to home plate on three different wild pitches, scoring Geneva's first run. Senior Eric Gonzalez made it home on an RBI-single from senior Zack Sackett, and a few moments later a sacrifice fly off the bat of junior Kirk Bearjar sent another runner home. Finally, a misplaced throw from an Olivet fielder allowed both Sackett and sophomore Bradley McGuire to come all the way around, making the GTs' lead 5-0 after an inning and a half.

Junior Eric Keaton got the start for Geneva, and he was excellent on the mound in the early goings of the game. After getting the big five-run cushion from his offense, he proceeded to handle the Olivet lineup with ease, not allowing a hit until one of the Comets blooped a single into right field with one out in the fourth inning. Despite Geneva's offense going cold, Keaton remained solid on the mound, pitching six solid innings. Once the Golden Tornadoes moved to their bullpen in the seventh and final inning, Olivet brought the score within one run, 5-4, on a grand slam, but the GTs weathered the storm to end the inning and win the game.

Keaton earned the win by tossing 6.0 innings of scoreless baseball, striking out seven batters while allowing just two hits to the Comets. Geneva struggled at the plate in game one, with doubles by McGuire and Chenet providing a little excitement offensively.

Again, Geneva went in front early in game two, with a two-RBI double from Gonzalez scoring Sackett and junior Aaron Babu to give the men a 2-0 advantage after one inning. Freshman Jack Barrett got the start for the GTs, and through the first three frames he had allowed just one run while striking out four batters. Unfortunately, Olivet broke the game open with seven runs in the top of the fourth to take an 8-2 lead.

Senior Harrison Burns responded with a single to start the bottom of the inning, and sophomore Josh Hull smashed an opposite-field home run over the right field fence in the next at bat to cut the deficit to 8-4. After Olivet plated a run in the fifth inning, Geneva scored twice more in the sixth, with a bases-loaded single from McGuire scoring a run. Chenet sent in another run with a sacrifice fly two batters later, but the runner tagging from second was caught up at third base, putting an end to Geneva's comeback attempt. The Golden Tornadoes could not score any more, losing the game 10-6.

Senior Zach Lemansky pitched well in relief for the GTs, striking out five batters in 2.2 innings while allowing just one run on one hit. Hull led the way at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Gonzalez contributed two RBIs as well in the loss.

The men play once more this week, facing SUNY Canton at 12:00 p.m. tomorrow, March 15^th, before playing two games on Monday to wrap up their time in Myrtle Beach.

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).