BLOOMSBURG – The Bloomsburg University baseball team dropped its final home doubleheader of the season at Danny Litwhiler Field on Friday afternoon against visiting East Stroudsburg, dropping a 6-3 game one final before falling, 9-2, in the nightcap.
Friday's results leave Bloomsburg at 13-21 overall and 10-16 in the PSAC East while East Stroudsburg improves to 27-16, 12-14. The teams entered Friday tied for the final playoff spot from the Eastern Division, but Bloomsburg must now win both games at ESU on Saturday to force a tie and remain alive in the playoff race.
GAME ONE – ESU 6, Bloomsburg 3 | Box Score
Things started out well for the Huskies in the opener after a three-run first gave Bloomsburg the early advantage. Tyler Benson (Montville, N.J./Montville Township) got things started with an infield single and moved to second on a single to left from Austin Edgette (Exton/Downingtown East). After an out, Damin Muth (Breinigsville/Parkland) stepped to the place and took a 3-1 delivery from ESU starter Ian Allen out over the fence in right field for a three-run homer and a first inning cushion.
The Huskies had an opportunity for more after Muth's home run as a walk to Cy Treaster (Lewistown/Mifflin County) and a single by Ryan Kirman (Little Silver, N.J./Red Bank Regional) put runners at the corners with two outs. Kirman got caught in a run-down, however, with Treaster ultimately forced out at home to end the threat.
East Stroudsburg wasted little time in getting two of those runs back by playing long ball as well with a two-run shot by Drew Hercik to right center.
The Warriors grabbed the lead with two more runs in the third, tying the game on an RBI ground out before Dylan Tamecki put the visitors ahead with a run-producing single up the middle.
ESU added a run each in the fifth and sixth for insurance.
Bloomsburg had chances to pick up additional offense – the Huskies left the bases loaded in the second and stranded eight runners altogether against Allen who settled down after a rough first inning. Allen (5-2) went the distance, scattering eight hits with one walk and three strikeouts while throwing 135 pitches in a workhorse effort.
Tyler Hill (Lehighton/Lehighton) (3-3) started and allowed four earned runs, did not walk a batter and struck out three for the Huskies.
Benson went 3-for-4 out of the leadoff spot and Kirman added two hits in his return to the lineup to pace the Huskies offense.
GAME TWO – ESU 9, Bloomsburg 2 | Box Score
Early offense and strong pitching sent the Warriors to the doubleheader sweep.
After a run in the first, ESU took control of the game with a four-run second and added a run each in the fifth and sixth innings.
That offense was more than enough for ESU starter Matt Festa (6-4) who was outstanding while twirling a complete game gem, surrendering just five hits and one earned run while not walking a batter and striking out eight.
Bloomsburg scored twice in the seventh including an RBI double from Brian Almand (Haddon Township, NJ/Paul VI).
Ryuta Amaike (Whitehall/Whitehall) (1-4) started and was charged with the loss after 1.1 innings, allowing four earned runs with three strikeouts. Shane Woefel tossed two innings of relief, allowing one unearned run one on one hit with a strikeout.
Bloomsburg finishes the regular season with a pair of must-win games on Saturday at ESU. Along with two wins, the Huskies would also need several tiebreakers to go their way in order to reach the postseason.
