Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (3/4/2024) - Gwynedd Mercy University (3-3) evened their early-season record and stayed ahead of the impending weather with today's 10-1 victory over Clarks Summit University. The Griffins put two runs on the scoreboard in their first at-bat, 2-0, and added a run in the fifth inning, 3-0, before four-run and three-run explosions in the seventh and eighth innings doomed the Defenders. Junior catcher
Justin Smith (Broomall, Pa.) was one of two Griffins with multiple hits; he was 2-for-3 with a run and four runs-batted-in. Junior
Cooper Root (Runnemede, N.J.) earned the win (1-1) with seven strong innings. He held Clarks Summit University to five hits and two walks, while striking out seven Defenders.
Griffin Highlights
- Gwynedd Mercy University got on the scoreboard in their first at-bat thanks to a wild pitch (1-0) and a single to right field from senior left fielder Nick Price (Levittown, Pa.) (2-0).
- In the fifth inning, Smith got beamed with the bases loaded to score the third Griffin run, 3-0.
- Senior second baseman Frank Ebling (Cherry Hill, N.J.) led off a four-run seventh inning with a ground rule double. He was sacrificed to third and scored soon after on a Smith single to left field (4-0). Sophomore center fielder Chris Nodeland (Hamilton, N.J.) doubled-in the fifth Griffin run (5-0) with a liner down the left field line and sophomore right fielder Sam Junker (Ambler, Pa.) platted two more with a triple left field (7-0).
- Three more Red and Gold scored in the eighth inning (10-0); Smith knocked in the first two with a to shortstop and the third came home on a Root single up the middle.
- In addition to Smith, freshman shortstop Drew Haines (Hammonton, N.J.) recorded multiple hits with doubles in the second and fourth innings.
- Senior pitcher Mitchell Bramsway (Temecula, Calif.) struck out five Defenders over the final two innings. He allowed one run on two hits and a walk.
Gwynedd Mercy University leaves for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational later this week; they are scheduled to play the University of Minnesota Morris in a 3:45 p.m. contest on Saturday, March 9.