Bloomsburg Splits Doubleheader with Columbia Union

BLOOMSBURG- The Bloomsburg University baseball team split a pair of games with Columbia Union College on Sunday afternoon. The Huskies dropped game one, 5-3, and won game two 15-7.

In game two the Huskies pounded out 17 hits with each starter getting at least one hit. Bloomsburg put runs on the board in every inning except the fourth, scoring four in the first, two in the second, three in the third and three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings.

Kevin Ward (Upper Darby/ Monsignor Bonner) went 3-4 with five RBI and three runs scored. Ward also blasted his second home run of the season when he hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning. Preston Hitchcock (Laceyville/ Wyalusing Valley) also had a big day, going 4-5 with three runs scored, while Chris Tressler (Lewistown/ Lewistown) was 3-5 with five runs scored and an RBI. Rich Letts (Parkesburg/ Octorara) went 2-4 with two RBI and Andy Bucher (Littlestown/ Littlestown) was 1-4 with two RBI. Paul Culbertson (Downingtown/ Downingtown West) picked up his first win of the season, going the distance, allowing seven hits and four earned runs while striking out one.

In game one, the Huskies jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Chris Tressler and Andy Bucher had RBI singles and Matt Allen (DuBoistown/ South Williamsport) picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly for Bloomsburg. However, Columbia Union would rally, scoring two in the second and one in the third to tie the game at 3-3. In the top of the fifth, the Pioneers would take the lead on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kyle Bahrle. In the top of the sixth, Columbia Union extended their lead to 5-3 on a two-out RBI double by Matthew Acevedo.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Huskies threatened to tie the game when Vinnie James (Bristol/ Bristol) led the inning of with a walk and Ward singled to put runners at first and second. After a wild pitch, each runner advanced to put the tying run in scoring position. However Columbia Union relief pitcher Brad McLaughlin came in and struck out the next three batters to escape out of the jam. In the bottom of the seventh, the Huskies brought the winning run to the plate with two outs but McLaughlin got James to strike out to end the game.

The Huskies, 13-26, will host Shepherd on Tuesday at 1 p.m.