ALFRED, N.Y. — Hilbert College Baseball traveled to Alfred, NY this afternoon where the Hawks used dominant starting pitching to earn a two-game sweep of the Pioneers.
Alex Rumfola and
Gregory Lowry combined to allow just two runs (one earned) across 15 innings in Hilbert's 3–1 and 8–3 victories at Pioneer Park.
Game One: Hilbert 3 – Alfred State 1
The opener developed into a pitchers' duel early, with neither side able to generate much offense through the first few innings. Hilbert broke through in the second when
Shane Pray reached base and moved into scoring position before
John Watson drove him in with a groundout to put the Hawks on the board.
Alex Rumfola kept Alfred State in check from the start of the contest, scattering hits and working efficiently as the Pioneers struggled to string together baserunners.
After the hosts got their first two baserunners of the game in the fourth, Alfred State eventually tied the game in the fifth following a hit and a defensive miscue to make it 1-1.
Hilbert answered in the seventh with the decisive rally. Pray opened the frame with a single and was replaced by
Billy LoBello on the bases. Watson again played a key role, laying down a sacrifice bunt to move the runner into scoring position.
Alex Ellison followed with a run‑scoring single before
David Earsing delivered an RBI triple to right‑center, giving the Hawks a two‑run cushion.
Rumfola rounded out his gem in the bottom of the frame to secure the win. The Pioneers placed the tying run in scoring position, but Rumfola's second punchout of the game ended the rally and gave Hilbert the 3-1 game one victory.
Rumfola finished his seven-inning complete game allowing just one run while striking out a pair and walking none.
Offensively, Watson, Ellison, and Earsing each plated a run while Ellison led the way for the Hawks with a pair of hits and a trio of stolen bases.
Game Two: Hilbert 8 – Alfred State 3
Hilbert wasted no time setting the tone in the second game, erupting for four runs in the opening inning.
Patrick Evans and
Shane Pray reached base to start the game before a throwing error allowed two runs to score. Moments later,
John Watson delivered a two‑run single up the middle, putting Hilbert firmly in control early.
From there,
Gregory Lowry took over on the mound. The right‑hander was dominant through eight innings, limiting Alfred State to just one unearned run, scattering seven hits while striking our four and walking none.
Hilbert's offense added on late to secure the sweep. In the seventh, a defensive error allowed another run to score, before the Hawks broke things open in the eighth.
Joey Haynes doubled to left‑center to drive in a run, followed by an RBI single from Pray. Another Alfred State error capped the three‑run inning and pushed the lead to 8-0.
Alfred State mounted a late push with two runs in the ninth, but Hilbert turned a double play to end the game and seal the sweep.
Offensively, Watson drove in a pair while Haynes, Pray, and Hoag all recorded RBI in the night cap.
Reed Lesmeister chipped in a three-hit performance joining Watson (one hit, two walks) who also reached base a trio of times.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks begin another three-game AMCC series on Wednesday when the team travels to take on Pitt-Bradford in a single nine-inning matchup.
