The Muskingum baseball team swept non-conference foe Defiance in a doubleheader played at Xavier University to give Head Coach Jake Krupar his first win at the helm for the Muskies. Muskingum won game one 7-4, and completed the sweep with a 5-4 win in game two.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (2-1 Overall), Defiance (0-2 Overall)
• Location: Hayden Field – Cincinnati, Ohio
• Attendance: 143 

Notables

• Muskingum Head Coach Jake Krupar recorded his first win at the helm for Muskingum in the Muskies' 7-4 game one victory.
• Muskingum now sits at 2-1 on the season heading into the Gene Cussic Classic next week in Fort Myers, Florida.
• The doubleheader was played at NCAA Division I Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Game One

The Difference

• Despite Defiance jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Muskingum quickly got on the board in the bottom half of the inning off an RBI double from sophomore Weston Melick,
• Muskingum tied the game at two in the bottom of the third off a sacrifice fly from sophomore Austin Lippolis.
• Later that inning, Muskingum took their first lead of the game off an RBI triple from junior Ryan Schwartz.
• After Defiance tied the game at three in the seventh inning, Muskingum immediately answered with three runs of their own to open up a 6-3 lead. Muskingum got their runs courtesy of a sacrifice fly from senior Allex Santacroce and a two-RBI double from Schwartz.
• Defiance cut into the Muskingum lead in the top of their eight, making the score 6-4 Muskies.
• Muskingum quickly added another run in the bottom of the eighth inning off an RBI single from Melick to push the score to 7-4 where it would stand for the rest of the game.

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum was led by Sophomore Weston Melick who finished a perfect 4-for-4 with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk.
• Junior Ryan Schwartz tallied a 3-for-5 line with three RBI for Muskingum, while sophomore Travis Reynolds finished 3-for-3 with three singles for the Muskies.
• Senior Dominic Gorence finished 1-for-3 with three runs scored and two walks, while sophomore Austin Lippolis notched a 1-for-4 line with two runs scored and an RBI.
• Senior Allex Santacroce finished with one RBI for the Muskies as well.
• Defiance was led by Gunner Gregg who finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.
• Junior Jaxon Rinkes started on the mound for Muskingum, tossing four innings and giving up two earned runs.
• Junior Liam Carey picked up the win for Muskingum after tossing two innings in relief. Carey gave up two earned runs and struck out one batter.
• Senior Clark Jennings nailed down the save, pitching the bottom of the ninth inning and allowing one hit.

Game Two

The Difference

• In game two, Defiance once again got out to a fast start, platting one run in the top of the first inning.
• Again, Muskingum had an answer for them, tallying two runs of their own in the bottom of the first off a two-RBI single from junior Ryan Schwartz.
• Muskingum pushed their lead to 3-1 in the third inning when junior Quinten Collins delivered an RBI ground out to plate junior Wyatt Reeder.
• Defiance cut Muskingum's lead in half in the fifth off a solo homer from Tyler Dehan, but Muskingum would answer in the bottom of the inning of a two-RBI single from Collins to make Muskingum's lead 5-2.
• Defiance would add a run in the sixth and seventh inning, but it wasn't enough as a Muskingum secured the 5-4 win.

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum was led by freshman Sam Palmieri with a 3-for-4 line and a walk.
• Junior Ryan Schwartz finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while junior Gavin Hawk went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
• Junior Wyatt Reeder finished 1-for-4 with a run scored, while junior Quinten Collins notched a 1-for-3 line with three RBI.
• Senior Dominic Gorence, sophomore Travis Reynolds, sophomore Austin Lippolis, and freshman Weston Melick all recorded one hit for the Muskies as well.
• Defiance was led by Tyler Dehan with a 2-for-4 line, two runs scored, and one RBI.
• On the mound, freshman Jake Roshau picked up the win after tossing six innings and giving up three earned runs.
• Sophomore Austin Lippolis earned his first save of the season after pitching a shutout ninth inning to secure Muskingum's victory.

Up Next

• Muskingum will be back in action on Sunday, March 5, when they take on Hiram at 12:00 p.m. The contest will open play for the Muskies at the annual Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Florida.