PITTSBURGH, Pa. – April 23, 2022 – The Chatham University baseball team had an unfortunate turn of events in the double header against Thiel, getting swept by the visitors 18-7 and 7-6. Chatham's record falls to 10-18 overall and 2-15 in PAC play.
 
Game one got off to a rocky start for the Cougars. They gave up nine runs including a grand slam home run in the first inning. Thiel added another in the second inning on one of three Chatham errors for the game, putting the Cougars behind the eight-ball 10-0.
 
In the second inning, Chatham mustered a pair of runs. First it was sophomore Dylan Vogel ripping a double to right, then classmate Frankie DeLuca singled in the second run. The score read 10-2 throughout most of the middle innings.
 
In the fifth inning, Thiel and Chatham traded runs with the Tomcats striking for three on a passed ball and a pair of RBI singles. The Cougars' offense opened up with a bases loaded walk by Vogel. RBI base knocks by first-year Anthony Sciulli and senior Luke Paulson were followed by a sacrifice by DeLuca, putting Chatham behind 13-6.
 
In the seventh inning, the Tomcats ballooned the lead off the heels of a two-RBI single and a three-run homer. Sciulli sacrificed the final run of the game, which turned out to be somewhat of a sign of things to come in the following game.
 
Defensively, Chatham gave up 22 base hits and committed a trio of errors. Offensively, the Cougars recorded 10 base hits, with first-year Quinn Burke being perfect in three at bats, scoring three times and also walking once. Other base hits were by senior Nico Cuello, senior Caleb Lehman, and a pinch-hit by junior Cole Couchman.
 
First-year Tyler Cote started the game and was pulled after a nine-run first. Sophomore Mason Schwartz went the majority of the game, pitching 3.2 innings and recording the Cougars' only two strikeouts. The game was concluded by first-year David McSorley, who pitched 2.2 frames.
 
Game two proved to be much more of a defensive battle. Defensively, the Cougars gave up a knock and hit a batter but left two stranded, including the first run being left 90 feet away. Chatham scored the game's first run after Paulson reached on an error then took second on a separate gaffe. He was brought in on a double steal, teaming up with senior Mason Akers on the dual swipe.
 
The Cougars had baserunners in all nine innings. However, Chatham did not get a base hit until the seventh inning. The Cougars chased the Tomcat starter by staying patient at the plate. Chatham was walked nine times, which ties a program single-game record. Seven of those walks were issued by the Tomcat starters.
 
Speaking of the seventh inning, Chatham's second run came after a walk was awarded to Paulson. A bunt moved him to second, then Cuello smacked the only Cougar hit of the game out to left field. Paulson was brought in by a sacrifice bunt by DeLuca.
 
In the eighth, the patience continued to pay off while being aided by a pair of walks. Four Cougars were hit by pitches, two of them with the bases loaded off of Sciulli, who was pinch hitting, and Cuello. DeLuca singled in the hole to score the fifth run, giving a five-run lead.
 
However, Thiel came roaring back with some patience and capitalization of Chatham miscues before the Cougars could record an out. Thiel led off with its only base hit of the inning. Three walks and four errors in the inning proved to be the downfall as the Tomcats took a 6-5 lead before the first out could be recorded. Out of the seven Tomcat runs, only one was earned.
 
Chatham made things interesting late. It began with back-to-back base hits by junior Brandon Griener and Burke, a single and double, respectively. First-year Brady Wingeart had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to score Griener from third, but the tying run was left stranded at second.
 
Junior Eric Paulin started and got the win after six clean innings, striking out a quartet and allowing just four hits. He was relieved by first-year Drew Schreck, who fanned three in two innings of relief. First-years Dawson Morrow and Kole Mayle combined to finish the ninth, with the latter of which taking the loss.
 
The Cougars will resume an unfinished game from April 11 against Geneva, with the Cougars trailing 1-0 in the third inning. The conclusion takes place on Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30 at West Field.