SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The York University baseball team split a doubleheader at Evangel on Friday, winning 21-12 before falling 4-3 in the nightcap.
The Panthers are now 20-21 on the year, including 17-15 in KCAC action.
York jumped on the board in the second stanza.
Ryan Romero singled and went to second when
Austin Grant was hit by a pitch. Romero scored on
Connor Larson's base hit down the right field line. After
Cameron Reeve laid down a bunt single to load the bases, Grant crossed home as
Nicholas DeMonte reached on a fielder's choice.
Ian Heck's base hit drove in Larson for a 3-0 advantage.
Tied at 3-3 in the third, Romero broke the tie with a two-run blast that plated
Cesar Galvan. Moments later, Reeve crushed a two-run shot that scored
Austin Petersen, who entered as a pinch runner for Grant. Heck's single plated
Kodai Namba, who was in as a pinch runner for DeMonte for an 8-3 lead.
Holding an 8-7 margin, Travis Peterson opened the sixth by being hit with a pitch. Romero pushed him to second on a base hit before a walk to Petersen loaded the bags. Larson walked and Reeve was hit by a pitch, extending the lead to 10-7. After a pitching change, DeMonte was hit by a pitch before
Jose Martinez singled in a run for a five-run cushion.
Leading 12-9, York broke the game wide open in the eighth. Martinez tripled home Reeve and Namba before Heck's two-run shot extended the margin to 16-9.
Up 16-11 in the ninth, Heck capped off an incredible game with a grand slam, driving in Reeve, Namba and Martinez. Petersen's sacrifice fly made it 21-11.
For the game, Heck launched two home runs, had four hits and drove in eight. Martinez and Romero had three hits while Reeve tallied two. Martinez and Reeve drove in three runs each while Romero, Larson and DeMonte each drove in two. Namba, Reeve and Romero crossed home three times apiece.
On the mound,
Bryce Woodard struck out two in 3.1 innings.
Sam Maudsley had a strikeout while M. Burre also had a strikeout.
Ruben Colliander worked a frame while Petersen had two strikeouts.
Game two saw both defenses shine through the first four innings. Evangel opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the fifth.
York battled back in the sixth. DeMonte reached on an error with one away and moved to second on a single by Martinez. Heck continued his stellar day, smacking a three-run shot down the left field line while giving the Panthers a 3-2 lead.
The Valor managed to answer with two runs in the bottom of the sixth to hang on for the one-run win.
For the game, Galvan, Heck and Martinez had one hit apiece. Heck recorded a home run and drove in all three runs.
On the mound, Heck worked 5.2 innings and had seven strikeouts.
Jackson Taylor recorded a fly ball out.
The Panthers return to action Monday when they host Sterling College at 3 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.
