Ryan Woerner
Sports Editor

After starting the season 10-2, the Marauders had hit a bit of a patch, dropping three of six before they got back in a groove, sweeping East Stroudsberg in a double-header Monday afternoon.

Head coach Jon Shehan cited a hiccup in the pitching command and defensive consistency that have built the Marauders into a winning organization as the reason behind the mild struggles of the team.

“Through the first two conference weekends we could have been more successful in both of those areas,” said Shehan. “West Chester and East Stroudsburg have quality teams. It is hard to win when you do not play fundamentally sound baseball.”

David Summerfield drove in his 12th run of the year against ESU. (MUAthletics)
David Summerfield drove in his 12th run of the year against ESU.
(MUAthletics)

After splitting three straight double headers between March 17 and 22, starting pitchers Jim McDade and Brandon Miller were able to bring back the level of consistency that Shehan and the Marauders are used to seeing in the two-game sweep.

Though Shehan restated his confidence that his bullpen arms would improve, they weren’t given the chance Monday. Both McDade and Miller took complete control of their games, each tossing a complete game in the wins over ESU.

The Marauders held a commanding 5-0 lead over the Warriors in game one thanks to RBIs from Dan Stoltzfus (2) Tyler McDonald (2) and Chas McCormick. Heading into the sixth having given up just one hit, Jim McDade looked to be in complete command of the game before hitting a bump, allowing five runs (four earned) to tie the game heading into the final inning.

In their half of the seventh the Marauders were able to counter, scoring five runs of their own. Following RBI singles by Dan Neff and Kurt Seiders, Jeremy Musser capped off the inning with a three-run homer with two outs and a full count on him.

McDade came out for the seventh and, aside from a two-out hit batter, shut down the Warriors to complete game one.

All of Millersville’s scoring came early in game two. The Marauders plated three in the first courtesy of RBI singles by Dan Stoltzfus and David Summerfield and a groundout by Chas McCormick.

The Warriors would rally back with three of their own, but not before Tyler McDonald put the Marauders up for good with an RBI single in the top of the third.

Despite surrendering five runs in the 6th, Jim McDade walked away with his 5th win of the year. (MUAthletics)
Despite surrendering five runs in the 6th, Jim McDade walked away with his 5th win of the year.
(MUAthletics)

Brandon Miller improved to 5-1 with his seven-inning, three-run complete game. His 2.92 ERA is almost identical to the 2.91 ERA he put up his freshman year—talk about consistency.

The Marauders will host Chestnut Hill for two games on Tuesday in Millersville’s home opener. Cody Stonebeck and Steven Ghiardi are set to take the hill.

UPDATE:
The Marauders swept Chestnut Hill by scores of 7-2 and 10-8 Tuesday.

Outfielder Chas McCormick made a rare appearance on the mound to close out game one for the Marauders, who were short on arms given that Tuesday’s doubleheader was their third in three days. McCormick walked three, allowing one run on zero hits in his inning of work.

Stonebeck earned the win in game one, Reid Anderson followed suit in game two. Both now hold 1-0 records on the year.