Point Park hits 6 HRs to beat W&J, 12-6, settles for split in Game 2 loss

WASHINGTON, Pa. -- Point Park University baseball bashed six home runs to beat Washington & Jefferson College, 12-6, in the first game of a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday from Ross Memorial Park. The Pioneers (29-12) settled for a split when their comeback in the second game came up short in a 10-7 loss. 

Point Park won the season series over W&J (17-8) two games to one. The Pioneers won the earlier meeting this year, 17-7, on March 13. 

GAME 1 -- POINT PARK 12, W&J 6

The Pioneers were down 5-1 after one inning but used the longball to come back and take control. Jared Campbell hit his 37th career homer in the top of the first, only to have the Presidents get five runs in the bottom half. 

Point Park's comeback started with Eddie Javier Jr. launching a solo shot in the second inning. It was his first of two homers in the game, and he was 3 for 3 with three runs and three RBIs. 

Omar Morillo blasted a three-run homer in the fourth, which tied the score at 5-5. Isaac Santana ripped an RBI triple a couple of batters later to give the Pioneers the lead for good, 6-5. 

The offense kept coming with Javier Jr going yard for a two-run shot in the fifth. That was followed by Morillo's run-scoring base hit. Morillo was 2 for 4 with four RBIs. 

Santana homered in the sixth as part of his 3-for-4 performance. Luis Gonzalez smashed a homer with Javier Jr aboard later in that sixth inning to push the lead to 12-6. 

Ethan Van Scoy settled in to get the victory pitching the first 4.0 innings. After getting out of the first inning, he retired the next 10 hitters in a row. That took things all the way to the fifth with a 9-5 lead. 

Relievers Jose Moreno, Ramon Rodriguez and Logan Creamer pitched 1.0 inning apiece with only one hit and no runs given up by the bullpen. 

GAME 2 -- W&J 10, POINT PARK 7

The Presidents built a 7-2 lead after three innings and this time held on for the victory. Point Park got as close as 7-4 with a pair in the top of the fourth and scored three more in the seventh but could not get any closer.

Both teams had 10 hits in the nightcap. Chris Williams was 2 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs for Point Park. He drove in a pair with a double in the first inning for the early lead. 

Down 7-2, Crixtian Taveras gave Point Park some life with a two-run homer in the top of the fourth. But W&J added some key insurance runs to get breathing room.

Down to their last three outs, the Pioneers put together four hits in the seventh. Eddie Javier Jr delivered a two-run double, and Williams added an RBI double -- both of which came with two outs. But it was too late.

Point Park had five different pitchers work in the game, all of which were 2.0 innings or less. Kenneth Rolon was saddled with the loss as the starter. 

NEXT UP

Point Park will host Alice Lloyd (Ky.) for its final River States Conference series of the regular season. The Eagles come to Pittsburgh for three games beginning Saturday, April 20 at 12 p.m. for a doubleheader. The series concludes on Sunday, April 21 at 12 p.m. All games are set for Point Park Field at Green Tree Park. 

The Pioneers will recognize their 12 seniors during the weekend. The Senior Day recognition is planned for in between games on Saturday, April 20.