Scranton, Pa. - (4/11/2023) - Gwynedd Mercy University (13-12, 3-6) earned two important Atlantic East Conference (AEC) wins in their recent series at Marywood University (12-13, 3-6) thanks to impressive pitching performances from sophomore Cooper Root (Runnemede, N.J.), juniors Mitchell Bramsway (Temecula, Calif.), and junior Frank Ebling (Cherry Hill, N.J.). After a 7-1 loss in the first game of Monday's (Apr. 10) doubleheader, Root and Bramsway combined for a seven-hit shutout and split eight strikeouts in game two; the latter picked up his third win (3-1) of the season with the final 10 outs of the contest. The rubber match came on Tuesday (Apr. 11) and pushed the series in the Griffins' favor as Ebling went the distance (W, 3-2; CG, 9.0 IP, 7H, 3R, 2BB, 7K) while contributing a pair of hits (2-for-5, 2B), a pair of runs, and two runs-batted-in (RBI) to a 13-3 triumph.

Griffin Highlights

Game 1

• Gwynedd Mercy University scored their only run of game one in the fifth inning; a one-out walk to senior second baseman Jake Martell (Levittown, Pa.), a wild pitch, and a two-out double down the right field line from freshman catcher Sam Junker (Ambler, Pa.) did the job.
• Ebling was 2-for-3 with a double. Martell (1-for-2, R) and Junker (1-for-3, BB, RBI) had the other two Griffin hits.

Game 2

• Gwynedd Mercy University had a runner in scoring position in the second inning, but found the run support they needed to compliment Root and Bramsway's pitching in the seventh inning.
• There, a leadoff single from Junker manifested into two runs after a sacrifice from graduate designated hitter Billy Collins (Hatfield, Pa.), an Ebling single to center, a sacrifice fly from senior third baseman Noah Andress (Levittown, Pa.) (1-0), and a run-scoring single to second base from junior right fielder Zach Redican (Lafayette Hill, Pa.) (2-0).
• Junior catcher Nick Price (Levittown, Pa.) (1-for-4) and Junker (1-for-3, R) joined Collins (1-for-2), Ebling (1-for-3, R), and Redican (1-for-3) with hits in the contest.
• Root held the Pacers scoreless through the first 5.2 innings; he allowed seven hits and a walk, while striking out four.
• Bramsway walked one and struck out four over the final 3.1 innings.

Game 3

• Gwynedd Mercy University seized control of the contest with four runs in their first at-bat; a Martell single, a passed ball, a Price single, a Junker ground-0out to short (1-0), a Collins RBI triple to center (2-0), an Ebling single through the left side (3-0), and a Root single through the right side (4-0).
• The Griffins scored two more runs in the fourth inning; Andress led off with a single to short that was followed by a double from senior shortstop Rob Bailey (Abington, Pa.), RBI singles from freshman centerfielder Chris Nodeland (Hamilton, N.J.) (5-0) and Martell (6-0).
• Extra insurance came with a tally in the sixth inning (7-1), five in the eighth (12-2), and one more in the ninth (13-2).
• Eight Griffins had multiple-hit performances; Martell (3-for-4, 2R, 2BB, 2RBI), Price (3-for-6, HR, 2R, 4RBI), Collins (3-for-5, 3B, 2R, RBI), and Nodeland (3-for-5, 3B, 2R, RBI) recorded three hits apiece.
• Ebling earned his third win of the season; she allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out seven.

Gwynedd Mercy University continues their AEC schedule on Friday, April 14, when they open their three-game series at Neumann University with a 3:00 p.m. contest.