APR. 25 — Leafs Fall Short In Bid For Pair At Marian
Goshen takes first game but falls in second; Hisner eclipses program hit mark

Indianapolis, IN — Needing a sweep of Mid-Central Conference leader Marian College to make a move for the MCC’s North Division title, the Goshen College baseball team was able to get halfway to its goal Monday afternoon, winning Game One over the Knights 6-1 before being handled by a 16-0 count in the day’s second contest. Senior Ben Taylor (6-1), fresh off his second career no-hitter and first-ever NAIA National Pitcher of the Week honor, captured the win on the mound, giving up just a solo home run in starting the afternoon off right.

“We got a big win over South Division leader Marian in Game One but couldn’t complete the sweep we needed to put the pressure on Sring Arbor (University) for first place (in the North Division),” said Jayson Best, Goshen head coach. “Ben Taylor came up big for us again, giving up only a solo home run to a very strong hitting team. Our offense struck at almost every opportunity to score, and we began to click.”

Senior Erik Hisner was a big part of the Leafs’ efficiency, as his 3-4 performance included a homer and a double that produced four RBI and two runs scored. His solo blast in the top of the seventh inning also carried added significance, as it was Hisner’s 204th hit of his career in a Goshen uniform. That number eclipsed the program’s career hit mark of 203, held by current Leafs’ assistant coach Josh Keister.

“Erik has been a constant at the plate for us over the last four years, and it was fitting that he break Keister’s record on a home run,” Best said. “We’re proud of his accomplishments.”

Sophomore Casey Cavell also was 3-4 from the plate in Goshen’s Game One win, knocking out a double and producing a pair of RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore Brian Shelton also was a major factor, going 2-3 while stretching both hits into doubles.

Celebrating the euphoria of a big win to start the afternoon, it was Goshen (16-10, 12-8) that came out flat in Game Two, falling behind in what seemed like a blink of the eye. After both teams traded scoreless stanzas in the first inning, Marian exploded for a 10-run second inning, followed by six more scores in the third. The Leafs could not get untracked, and the game ended after just four and a half innings due to the 10-run rule.

Sophomore Dann Hunt (2-3) recorded the loss on the mound, though he only stood on the hill until the middle of the second inning. Senior Josh Snyder took the reigns in the second, while classmate Dan Samaritoni entered in the third inning to finish the day. Junior Greg Koop provided the lone spark at the plate in Game Two, going two for two and accounting for half of the team’s hits.

“In Game Two Marian came out charging,” Best said. “They were able to have success bunting the ball and putting hits together behind them and the runs just piled up. It was just a case of a good-hitting team putting a bunch of solid bats together and all of a sudden we’re down 10-0. Not much positive to say about Game Two. We were only able to scratch out four hits. The only positive is we’re still in the hunt for the division championship with a little help.”

With a MCC mark of 12-8, Goshen still remains just a half game out of first place in the MCC’s North Division, as Spring Arbor currently holds an 11-6 mark. Marian remains in control of the South Division with a conference mark of 15-5. Bethel College is still in the mix for a division championship as well, holding a 13-9 league record. For a complete look at the MCC standings, click here.

Goshen will next take a brief hiatus from league competition, as the team will host Tri-State University in its final home contest of the season on Tuesday. The Leafs will face the Thunder in a single, nine-inning contest at the Goshen College Baseball Complex. Game time is set for 3 p.m.