Story written and posted by Cameron Way, Fisher College Sports Information Intern
PIKEVILLE, KY. – The Fisher College Baseball earned a split of their non-conference double-header this afternoon at the University of Pikeville. The Falcons dropped the opening contest 7-6 before storming back and taking the nightcap, 11-6. The split slides the Falcons overall record to 13-3 on the season while the Bears are now 8-16.
Game One: University of Pikeville 8, Fisher College 7 (Final)
Leading 7-5 entering the bottom of the seventh, UPIKE was able to plate three runs and steal the opening game from Fisher, 8-7.
The Falcons once again found themselves trailing in the contest but just like they've been doing all season, they battled back. They turned a 5-1 deficit into a 7-5 lead by scoring four runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Sophomore John Batisita (Lawrence, Mass.) led the offensive charge for Fisher as he finished the contest going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Junior Pearson (Orlando, Fla.) also recorded a multi-hit game as he went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and senior Mitchell Lundholm (Plymouth, Mass.) added a 1-for-2, two walk performance at the dish.
Sophomore Angel Alicea (Caguas, P.R.) was credited with the tough-luck loss as the right-hander tossed six innings, allowing eight runs (six earned) on six hits while striking out six. Senior George Gali (Guayama, P.R.) was only able to record one out in relief of Alicea in the seventh inning.
UPIKE saw senior Dillon O'Grady (Auburn, Wash.) go 1-for-3 with two RBI and classmate Pastor Sanchez (Barquisimeto, Venezuela) add two hits, 2-for-3 with a RBI, in the comeback win. Freshman Ty Vann (Alamo, Ga.) was given the win on the mound as he threw two innings of relief, holding the Falcons to just two runs (both earned) on three hits while striking out one. Junior Matt Petrossi (Rochester, N.Y.) was given the start for the Bears and he pitched five innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits without recording a strikeout.
Game Two: Fisher College 11, Pikeville University 6 (Final)
The Falcons jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and held on as they took the nightcap of the double-header, 11-6. Fisher scored five runs over the final two frames to secure their 13th win of the season.
Lunholm was the offensive catalyst as he went 4-for-5 with two RBI and junior Jonathan Rosado (Bayamon, P.R.) belted his 5th home run of the year as he finished the contest 2-for-4 with four runs batted in. Batisita and junior Jacob Deziel (Merrimac, Mass.) also added an RBI each in the win.
The 11-hit offensive attack supported the stellar start from senior Johann Doerrer (Dolgeville, N.Y.), who earned the win after throwing 4.2 innings allowing five runs (all earned) on four hits and striking out five. Freshman Luis Cosme (Bayamon, P.R.) picked up his first save of the season as the right-hander held the Bears to just one run (earned) on three hits and recording three strikeouts.
UPIKE sophomore right-hander Kevin Justice (Pikeville, Ky.) was given the loss on the hill as he allowed four runs (all earned) on three hits in just 2.1 innings of work. Four relievers combined to finish out the ballgame as they gave up seven runs (two earned) on eight hits and retiring four by way of the K.
Senior Kase Helton (Guston, Ky.) and freshman Demarco Miller (Smyrna, Tenn.) each had multi-hit games and sophomore Eduardo Bello (La Riviara, Panama) knocked in two RBI to pace the Bears offense. Helton finished the game going 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot while Miller added his own 2-for-3, two runs scored and a RBI from the three-hole.
These two teams will be right back at it tomorrow as they finish out the four-game series. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 2pm.