FUS Baseball Falls to the Mavericks in Sunday DH

STEUBENVILLE, OH - Franciscan University of Steubenville’s baseball team lost a double header to Ohio State Mansfield on Sunday.

The Barons dropped the first game 7-5 and the second 14-6. In the first game, the Barons got off to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning. The Mavericks answered though, with a three-run inning in the third to tie the game 4-4. FUS took the lead again in the sixth, but could not hold on as Mansfield answered with three of there own in the top of the 7th to take the lead and the game for a 7-5 finale.

Baron shortstop Anthony Pontarelli had a brilliant game at the plate, going 4-4 with two doubles. Pontarelli leads the team in batting, hitting .329 on the season (minimum 10 at-bats). Third baseman Nathan Cain went 1-2 with an RBI. Steve Daly pitched the whole game for FUS, giving up 6 earned runs off of 10 hits, while striking out 3.

The second game was not as close for the Barons. Despite taking a 1-0 lead out of the first, FUS could not stop the Mavericks’ bats, as the visitors would go on to score in every other inning. FUS remained off the scoreboard until Pontarelli came to the plate in the sixth with the bases lo

aded. Pontarelli jacked a bases clearing double to right-center to make the scored 11-6. However another three-run 7th brought the final score to 14-6 in favor of the Mavericks. Pontarelli again led the Barons, going 1-3 with 3 RBIs.

Designated hitter Dustin Pagano went 1-2, and second baseman Steve Jagla went 1-4. Starter Nathan Cain lasted 3.2 innings, giving up 5 earned runs off of 10 hits with 4 strike outs. Reliever Rob Marrow gave up 6 earned runs in 3.1 innings of work.

FUS now stands a 3-25 overall for the season will return to conference play on Wednesday night against La Roche College. It will be Family Night at Vaccaro Field, with the opening pitch scheduled for 5 p.m.