BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College baseball team secured its 20th victory of the season on Wednesday afternoon in a home doubleheader with Kent State Tuscarawas, the final home games of the season for the Golden Tornadoes. After dropping a high-scoring game 19-12 in game one, Geneva rebounded behind a strong pitching performance from freshman Jack Barrett to win 14-4. The Golden Tornadoes are now 20-16 on the year, the first time since 2011 that Geneva has reached 20 wins in a season. The doubleheader was the last home events of the year for Geneva athletics.
The first game was a struggle for Geneva pitchers, who couldn't seem to find their command despite trying several different hurlers. Tuscarawas took advantage of five walks and a hit batter to score five times in the top of the first, on just three hits.
The Golden Tornadoes did rally in the early innings, though. Geneva scored twice in the first on RBI-singles from sophomores Michael Twigg and Bradley McGuire to pull within 5-2.
After a scoreless top of the second, Geneva took its first lead of the game by scoring five times. The Golden Tornadoes strung together five straight one-out singles. Twigg drove in two runs with his single, while senior Eric Gonzalez drove in the third and fourth runs of the frame with his single. Gonzalez later came round to score on a wild pitch to give the Golden Tornadoes a 7-5 lead.
Unfortunately, the Geneva pitchers continued to struggle with their command. Two hit batters, a walk and an error led to four Tuscarawas runs in the top of the third, on just one hit, and the Golden Tornadoes could never get back in the groove.
The Golden Eagles broke the game open with nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings to grab an 18-7 advantage.
McGuire provided a two-run double in the sixth, while freshman Connor Lehman delivered a sacrifice fly in the inning. Twigg and McGuire added RBIs in the seventh to wrap up the scoring 19-12.
All told, Geneva pitchers issued 13 walks and hit six batters, as Tuscarawas scored its 19 runs on just 12 hits.
The Golden Tornadoes actually outhit Tuscarawas, finishing with 16 hits. Twigg led the offense, going 2-for-2 with two walks, three runs and four RBIs. McGuire also totaled four RBIs to go with two hits. Senior Zack Sackett and juniors Aaron Babu and Kirk Bearjar each finished with three hits apiece, while Gonzalez contributed two hits. Sackett scored three times, while Babu and Gonzalez each scored twice.
Barrett got the start on the mound in game two, and he found much better success, keeping Tuscarawas off the board through the first three innings.
Geneva gave him some early runs to work with. Sackett and Babu led off the first with walks, and Twigg continued his strong day offensively with an RBI-single. Two batters later, Gonzalez drove in Babu and Twigg with a single to give the Golden Tornadoes three early runs.
Geneva added a run in the third when senior Zach Lemansky doubled with one out and eventually came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Gonzalez.
Tuscarawas got on the board with a run in the top of the fourth, but the Golden Tornadoes immediately responded in their half with a big inning to break the game open. Geneva loaded the bases with two outs, and Twigg drove in another run with a walk. Lemansky followed with a 2-run single, and Twigg later scored on a double steal when the catcher's throw went into the outfield. Senior Connor O'Brien drove in two more with a single to extend Geneva's lead to 10-1.
The Golden Tornadoes added to their lead in the fifth. Sackett drove in one with a single, and Babu followed with a 2-run triple. Twigg added to his RBI total on the day with an RBI-groundout to bring home Babu for the final Geneva run of the game.
Tuscarawas scored three runs in the seventh inning against the Geneva bullpen to wrap up the scoring.
Barrett earned his first career collegiate victory with 6.1 innings of strong work, giving up just three hits.
Lemansky had the big day offensively in game two, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles, two runs and two RBIs. Sackett added two more hits to move his career total to 199, while scoring twice. Twigg drove in three runs, while Babu scored three times and drove in two runs. Freshmen Simon Wehr and Christopher Jackson also each scored twice.
Geneva wraps up its season with a doubleheader on Saturday at Allegheny, beginning at 1:00 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).
