Gwynedd Valley, Pa. - (2/21/2026) – Gwynedd Mercy University (3-1) welcomed Penn State Abington (1-3) for day two of this weekend's round-robin tournament. For the first time since 2007, the Griffins looked to continue their hot play at the start of 2026, going 4-0. Down 5-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Gwynedd Mercy brought home two runners, but their rally was cut just short as the team fell 5-4 in the end. Freshman's Felix Melendez (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Jacob Ruddell (Warrington, Pa.) had themselves an afternoon with the former in his second career start went a perfect two-for-two at the dish with two walks and the latter going two-for-four with a double and two runs-batted-in (RBI).
Griffin Highlights:
- Ruddell got the party started for Gwynedd in the bottom of the second with a shot to right center, scoring both Melendez and junior infielder Drew Haines (Hammonton, N.J.), putting the Griffins up 2-0.
- After five unanswered runs from the Nittany Lions, Gwynedd went on a rally. After a leadoff walk from Haines and a single from both Melendez and Ruddell, the bases were loaded for senior outfielder Chris Nodeland (Hamilton, N.J.). Nodeland worked a professional at bat and drew a walk, cutting the score to just two (5-3). The next batter was junior outfielder Noah Waldron (Collingswood, N.J.), who had his first hit of the day, past the shortstop, allowing Haines to cross home plate (5-4). Unfortunately, the next three batters would not bring home the tying run, and the Griffins fell just short of the comeback.
- Sophomore pitcher Dylan Ganey (Langhorne, Pa.) made his first start of the 2026 season, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits and one walk while striking out one.
Gwynedd Mercy University plays its final game in the round-robin tournament tomorrow, Sunday, March 1, as the team rematches with Penn State Hazleton with a 10:30 a.m. first pitch
