UMSL Blasts Out 27 Runs in Doubleheader Sweep
Rivermen Bats Carry UMSL Past Flyers
Romeoville, Ill. – The UMSL bats exploded in a doubleheader sweep at Lewis on Saturday afternoon, as the Rivermen scored a total of 27 runs to win both games, winning the first game 11-1 and the second game 16-11.
In the openers, UMSL scored early and got a big lead for starting pitcher Josh Morgan (St. Louis, Mo./St. Mary's), who helped his own cause from the plate. Morgan got the complete game win, giving up one run on just five hits and in addition to his performance on the mound, got the UMSL offense going as well. In the second inning, Morgan hit a solo home run to left center, his second of the season, for a 1-0 lead. In the third, Jonathan Mercer (Sullivan, Mo./Sullivan) added to that lead with a bases loaded, three-run double for a 4-0 UMSL lead. Scott Miller (St. Louis, Mo./Lindbergh) added an RBI single in the fourth, and the Rivermen scored three more runs in the fifth inning. In that fifth inning, Morgan again helped his own cause with an RBI single, and he later scored a run on a groundout. Lewis got their first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth, but the Rivermen responded with two runs in the sixth, one off an RBI single by Logan Hughes (Walnut Shade, Mo./Branson), and Jonathan Mercer added another RBI double in the seventh for the 11-1 victory.
The second game saw plenty of scoring from both teams, but UMSL outlasted the Flyers for the 16-11 win. UMSL started the scoring in the first with an RBI double by Jonathan Mercer. The Rivermen then added four more runs in the second as Mercer again had an RBI single in that inning, as did Scott Miller and Logan Hughes as UMSL led 5-0 early. Lewis came right back and scored four runs of their own in the bottom of the second to keep the game close. The Rivermen responded quickly in the third, as the first three hitters all reached to load the bases for Pat McNichols (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) who hit a grand slam home run, his second homer of the season. The Flyers came right back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five big runs to tie the game at 9-9 after three innings of play.
The Rivermen offense then took control in the middle three innings, scoring one run in the fourth, and two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to take control. Doug Wiles (Farmington, Mo./Farmington) had an RBI double in the fourth, and in the fifth Scott Sanders (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway North) had a two-run homer. Tony Grana (Ballwin, Mo./Lafayette) added a two-run double in the sixth as UMSL led 14-9 after six innings. The Rivermen continued their scoring in the seventh with a sacrifice fly, but Lewis got one of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The eighth inning featured an oddity in this game for the UMSL offense, as the eighth inning was the only inning the Rivermen failed to score a run. That streak didn't last, as UMSL scored a single run in the ninth on a double steal. Lewis would add one run in the bottom of the ninth as UMSL went on to win 16-11. Dennis Allen (St. Louis, Mo./Ritenour) picked up the win in relief, going 4.0 innings and giving up just one run on seven hits to get his first victory of the season.
Jonathan Mercer had a big day at the plate for UMSL, going a combined 5-for-9 in the two games, with three runs and six RBIs, and three doubles on the day. Scott Sanders added three hits, three runs and two RBIs, including his second home run of the year. Pat McNichols also had his second home run of the year in that second game, with a grand slam, and had five RBIs in the game.
The Rivermen are now 20-17-1 on the season and improve to 15-9 in the GLVC. UMSL will be at home for the next 12 conference games, beginning with a doubleheader on Wednesday at 12 noon against Quincy.