photos courtesy of Samantha Robinson
During the second inning on April 12, Andy Chacon ran his fifth
home run of the year to lead the team in a 2-1 win over Brescia
University at Kelly Automotive Park in Butler, Pa.
The Pioneers swooped right back into their winning streak while going against Brescia University this past weekend.
Point Park had some unexpected days off when its games against Milligan (Tenn.) and Ohio Christian were canceled due to weather.
“I don’t think it could help any. We’re still getting our work done indoors, so there’s really no rest,” said Nolan Krivijanski. “ I would say if anything, it could hurt if the guys aren’t seeing live pitching until the weekend. That can mess with a guy’s timing at times. The more games we get to play, the better we will get.”
The Pioneers geared up to play Brescia University at Kelly Automotive Park on Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, No. 21 Point Park’s Nate Sphon and Krivijanski took the mound versus Brescia, fourth place in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) standings.
Sphon took his 20th career win in the first game of the day. He took on six innings and has become the seventh pitcher in Point Park baseball’s 48-year history to win 20 games.
Six were struck out and two were walked by Sphon. The only major flaw during the game was when a two-run homer was made by Brescia’s Christian McHatton.
Krivijanski went six innings in the night game and gave up no earned runs. He had only two hits, struck out four and walked two.
Point Park didn’t lack in the hitting either with Andy Chacon and Demetrius Moorer leading off with two hits apiece.
In game two, the Pioneers had a tough start to scoring until Jordan Crowell had a homer over the right-center field wall.
Krivijanski got himself out of a rut when Brescia had the bases loaded and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
Point Park eventually scored with Chaz Russo’s hit after Shane Conley and Oscar Romero made it on base.
PPU won both games 9-2 and 2-1. They moved on to play another two games on Sunday against Brescia again.
Point Park finished its sweep against Brescia, winning both games with junior Jason Kim taking the mound in game one.
The Pioneers’ pitchers are 11th in the country with a team ERA of 2.83 for the season. Kim had six shutout innings; Brescia didn’t get past second base until the seventh inning.
A sacrifice bunt by Stefan Mrkonja and an RBI by Romero helped the Pioneers win 2-1. The Pioneers had better hitting luck in the nightcap game, winning at 9-5 and totaling with 10 hits in the game.
The Pioneers kept their winning streak momentum throughout the season with a 29-6 record overall.
“We’ve been able to keep the momentum by constantly reminding ourselves day in and out that we want to accomplish our goals of winning another conference title, go onto regionals, win that and eventually win a national championship as well,” said Moorer.
“We know that the only thing holding us back is ourselves, and we’re not trying to be defeated by any means.”
The Pioneers continue on April 17 in a home game against IU Southeast.
