Barons Split Sunday DH With Hilbert

STEUBENVILLE – Pitcher Matt Talbot pitched a two hitter as the Barons baseball team of Franciscan University of Steubenville came back in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat the Hilbert College Hawks 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.  The Barons lost the first game of the double-header, 21-6, and thus ended up splitting with Hilbert on the day.  After the day's competitions, the Barons' record stands at 6-14, and 3-7 in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

The Barons struggled in the first game, a 21-6 loss in which they used four different pitchers.  Andrew Danaher was the offensive standout in the first game,  registering three hits, one run, and one RBI.  

Despite being routed in the first game, the Barons took the field for the second game of their double-header with a renewed intensity.  Hilbert scored a run in the second inning, but Andrew Danaher found his way home on a sacrifice fly by catcher Matt Liedel to tie the game, 1-1.  Hilbert reclaimed the lead in the third, 2-1, but the Barons evened the score once again in the bottom of the fourth when Chris Kotur scored on an error.

Then, in the bottom of the final inning, the Barons pulled together to make a final push for the victory.  Ryan Marrow hit a triple for the Barons, then Rocco Auteri and Kevin Marrow were walked, loading the bases.  Then, Tom Costello stepped up to the plate and hit a single, allowing Ryan Marrow to score a walk-off run.

Costello led the Barons offensively with three hits and an RBI.  Auteri also had three hits in the game, Liedel had two hits, Machado had two RBIs, and Danaher and Ryan Marrow each had a hit and a run scored.

“Matt Talbot pitched a two-hitter for us,” Barons coach Dr. Robert Marrow said.  “He really pitched an amazing game today.  We came together in the final inning, and Tom Costello was able to get Ryan Marrow in and hit the walk-off single.  Andrew Danaher had some great extra base hits, and Daniel Brink threw to home for a great putout for us.  Overall, we played a flawless game.”

The Barons' next game is Tuesday at home against Frostburg at 1:00 p.m.