Hackettstown, N.J. - (4/22/2023) - Gwynedd Mercy University (16-16, 5-10) picked up two important Atlantic East Conference (AEC) wins with today's doubleheader sweep at
Centenary University (NJ) (15-17, 5-7). The Griffins took the opener by a 4-2 final, scoring a run in their first at-bat of the twin bill and outscoring the Cyclones 3-2 in an action-packed seventh inning. Game two followed a similar path as Gwynedd Mercy University made use of their first-inning at-bat (1-0) before a seventh-inning two-run double from senior second baseman
Jake Martell (Levittown, Pa.) outshined a late Centenary University tally. Sophomore
Cooper Root (Runnemede, N.J.) played an important role in both wins as he went 2-for-3 with a walk, a steal, and two runs-batted-in (RBI) in game one, then he recorded a hit (1-for-3) and earned the win (3-1; 6.1 IP, 5H, 1R, 0ER, BB, 2K) in game two.
Griffin Highlights
Game 1
- Senior catcher Nick Price (Levittown, Pa.) led off the second inning with a double to left field. He advanced to third on a passed ball and eventually scored on a grounder to short from senior third baseman Noah Andress (Levittown, Pa.), 1-0.
- In the seventh inning, senior shortstop Rob Bailey (Abington, Pa.) led off with a single through the right side and scored following an Andress sacrifice, and a double down the left field line by freshman centerfielder Chris Nodeland (Hamilton, N.J.), 2-0. Later in the at-bat, Root's two-run single through the right side brought home Nodeland (3-0) and Martell (4-0).
- Root was 2-for-3 with a walk, a steal, and two RBI. Price (1-for-3, R), Bailey (1-for-2, BB, R), and Nodeland (1-for-2, R, RBI) were responsible for the other three Griffin hits.
- Junior Frank Ebling (Cherry Hill, N.J.) earned the win (4-2), holding the Cyclones to two runs on eight hits and three walks. He struck out four in 6.1 innings.
- Junior Mitchell Bramsway (Temecula, Calif.) earned his third save (3) after recording the final two Centenary University outs (0.2 IP, 1H).
Game 2
- Martell scored in the first inning after leading off with a double and rounding the bases with a bunt single from Root and an error by the Centenary University shortstop, 1-0.
- In the seventh inning, Andress was hit by a pitch, advanced to second base on a sacrifice, and scored along with Nodeland on Martell's double to left center, 3-0.
- Martell was 3-for-4 with a walk, a run, a stolen base, and two RBI. Root (1-for-3, BB) recorded the other Griffin hit.
- On the mound, Root earned his third win (3-1) and limited the Cyclones to an unearned run on five hits and a walk. He struck out two in 6.1 innings.
- Bramsway earned save number four (4) by holding Centenary University to a hit and a walk over their final eight outs (2.2 IP). He struck out two.
Gwynedd Mercy University is scheduled to visit Penn State Abington for a 3:00 p.m. contest on Wednesday, April 26.