Point Park split a Saturday doubleheader with Fairmont State at EQT Park, falling 3-2 in the first game before rebounding for a 5-4 victory in the nightcap. The Pioneers improved to 17-10 overall and 9-5 in Mountain East Conference play.
Fairmont State secured the opener with a late push in the seventh inning. Point Park had jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first after loading the bases, with junior Trevor Jones reaching on a throwing error that allowed Felix Rodriguez and Chris Williams to score.
The Falcons responded in the second inning with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit in half.
Ramon Rodriguez got the start for Point Park, pitching three innings and allowing only one run while striking out several batters.
Ethan Parker entered the fourth inning with two runners on base and struck out three batters to escape a potential scoring threat. Fairmont State tied the game in the sixth after Cam Cole led off with a double and Kris Sutton followed with an RBI single.
In the seventh, Fairmont State’s Riley Bubb delivered a solo home run to left field to give the Falcons the 3-2 victory.
Point Park turned the momentum around in Game 2 with a balanced offensive performance, scoring five consecutive runs to claim the 5-4 win.
After Fairmont State opened scoring in the third with a two-run single, the Pioneers quickly responded. Felix Rodriguez drove in Chris Williams, and Olindo Pezzone followed with an RBI single to tie the game.
The Pioneers took the lead in the fourth inning when Josh Zambito sent a ball down the third-base line for an RBI double, scoring Jones from first. They added two more runs in the fifth on an RBI single from Luis Gonzalez and a sacrifice fly by Jones, giving Point Park a 5-2 advantage. Eight players on the roster have double-digit RBIs.
Harold Boyce earned the win, pitching five innings and allowing just two runs while striking out four batters. Boyce, who was recently named NCBWA Division II National Pitcher of the Week, has been a key contributor to the pitching staff this season.
Ethan Parker closed out the game with two innings of relief, picking up his fifth save of the season and continuing his strong campaign.
Point Park went on to face Fairmont State in another doubleheader on Monday, narrowly securing the Pioneers’ first sweep against the Falcons. The first game concluded 4-3 and the second game 7-6.
The sweep improved Point Park to a 11-5 record in MEC play, going 19-10 overall. Entering this week of play, the Pioneers are third in the MEC North division.
Point Park will face non-conference California (Pa.) tomorrow with first pitch set for noon at PNC Park. Playing at the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates offers the Pioneers a chance to compete on a Major League Baseball field and experience a professional atmosphere to build momentum for the rest of the season.
