MU dominates MV

By rscaife
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Updated: May 6, 2014

MOUNT UNION – In the legendary words of Chicago Cub hall of famer Ernie Banks, the Mount Union baseball team said “Lets play two!” Tuesday afternoon, playing a double header against Moshannon Valley at the Mount Union High School in the early afternoon.

The afternoon was really beneficial for the Trojans as they outscored the Black Knights a combined 32-2 and thumped out a total of 26 hits to go along with it. All of that coming in only seven total innings as both games we halted early because of the 15-run inning rule.

In the first game, Mount Union’s Dylan Sunderland went the whole four innings on the mound allowing just three hits while his offense rolled over visiting pitcher Craig Ohs. Mount Union singled their way to the victory showing it can manufacture runs as well as rope extra base hits.

Klayton Heffner led the Mount Union offense with a 3-for-4 and an RBI effort.

Other Mount Union players that picked up multiple hits were Brady Goodling (2-for 3), Hunter Atherton (2-for 3), Sunderland (2-for-2) and Cole Wilson (2-for-3).

“It was a nice day. Everything went well for us tonight,” Mount Union skipper Nick Imperoli said. “I thought Dylan did a nice job for us today. I thought we had some good hits in there today.”

Moshannon Valley was home in the first contest and held the Trojans to its lowest output of the day in the top of the first inning.

In the top of the first, Mount Union plated two runs to take an early lead.

Heffner belted a single to lead off the game and he moved to third when teammate Brady Goodling doubled, putting runners in scoring position.

Two fielders choices by Trevon Walker and Hunter Atherton brought home both Heffner and Goodling, making it 2-0.

After holding Moshannon Valley scoreless in the bottom of the inning, Mount Uion went right back to work, picking up a 3-run inning extended the Black Knights’ deficit to five.

Sunderland walked to start off the inning

With two outs, Goodling and Walker both showed their patience at the plate, loading the bases reaching on consecutive walks.

Hunter Atherton picked up his second RBI of the contest, allowing Sunderland to score run number six. When the dust settled Mount Union held a secure 5-0 lead going into the third.

Sunderland continued to keep the Black Knights bats silent.

Going into the third inning, Mount Union put the game out of reach plating another four runs, giving the home team a comfortable 9-0 advantage.

With the Moshannon Valley bats quieted, the Trojan offense just got stronger as it picked up a seven run inning in the fourth to put the first game on ice.

Game 2

MOUNT UNION – With one game under their belt for the day, the Mount Union bats remained white hot as it went into its second game of the day against visiting Moshannon Valley.

Led by hard hitting Trevon Walker, who finished the day with a double and a triple, the Trojans exploded for 17 more runs in game 2 to defeat the Black Knights in a 3-inning run shortened contest.

“Trevon had a couple of nice big shots today and gave us a chance to score some runs,” Mount Union manager Nick Imperoli said. “Hopefully now we are swinging the bats and everyone got to play in either of the games.”

Swinging they were as the Trojans pounded out 17 runs on 13 hits in a 17-2 blow out over Moshannon Valley.

Picking up the victory was Thad Wakefield. Wakefield came in in the first in early releif of Dylan Sunderland, who pitched in the first contest.

The young pitcher shined, allowing no hits in his shortened outing.

Moshannon Valley opened the contest scoring their only two runs on the day.

Kent Stewart led off the game for the Black Knight, roping a shot into centerfield.

With one out, teammate Sam Ohler joined Stewart on base, roping a grounder into centerfield. Both were brought home when Cody Marshall sent a shot into the gap between left and center, plating both Stewart and Ohler and in the process took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the first.

How would Mount Union answer back?

Simple. The Trojans sent 15 players to the plate and scored 10 runs in their first at bats.

Lead off Klayton Heffner led off the inning with a single to left. Brady Goodling took little time bringing home his teammate, blasting a double of his own to the gap in left centerfield, cutting the Black Knights’ lead to 2-1.

Walker walked in his first at bats, putting runners on the corners. Hunter Atherton hustled his way on base after the Moshannon Valley thirdbaseman’s throw was late and wide, scoring Goodling and advancing Walker over to third.

With runners on the corners,

Drew Harshbarger and Thad Wakefield put the Trojans out in front 3-2 with two RBI singles.

Sunderland loaded the bases back up with a single to left, setting the stage for Cole Wilson. Wilson reached on an error and allowed Harshbarger to up the lead to 4-2.

Goodling added another RBI for Imperoli and company and then Walker cleared the bases with a massive shot deep into the corner of left. He tripled and scored on a throwing error from the leftfielder.

Going into the top of the second, Mount Union held a 10-2 advantage.

Wakefield was tough on the mound striking out five Black Knights in two and 1/3 innings.

Moshannon Valley’s pitcher posted only four strike outs on the day.

In the bottom of the second, Mount Union manufactured three more runs to take a commanding 13-2 advantage. The inning was highlighted by Walker’s second extra base hit of the day. His double helped in the scoring column.

Mount Union ended the contest in the bottom of the third posting the final four runs it needed to end the contest. Picking up hits in the inning were Jack Smith, Andrew Atherton, Cole Wilson and James Woods. Woods ended the game in style, plastering a 2RBI double, ending the contest.