The Shippensburg University men’s baseball team gained ground in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) eastern division this week after scraping together three wins, including two versus PSAC east opponents.

Shippensburg — whose record is 11-15 on the young season — picked up a 6-4 comeback-win over Seton Hill University on Tuesday, and proceeded to split its weekend series with Lock Haven. The Raiders dropped two in that series by a score of 12-2 and 3-1, and won the other two 3-1 and 1-0.

The Raiders have struggled to find their footing versus interdivisional opponents so far this year. Coming into the week, the Raiders held just a 1-3 record after its four-game PSAC east opener versus West Chester. In play against the entire PSAC, Shippensburg’s has not faired better, and currently sits at 2-5.

The tides began to change earlier this week, though, when the Shippensburg found itself behind 4-2 in the seventh inning to PSAC west opponent Seton Hill. The Raiders put together a three-run inning in order to recapture the lead from the Griffins, and eventually take that one, 6-4.

Seton Hill led by three at one point, but blew the lead because of its sloppy play. The Griffins had two throwing errors in the pivotal seventh inning that allowed the Raiders’ base runners to move into scoring position. Seton Hill pitcher Andrew Huser was credited with the loss, but only gave up one earned run in his short-lived 2/3 inning outing.

Shippensburg got some terrific pitching from its bullpen versus Seton Hill, as well. After Seth LeFever dug the Raiders into a three-run deficit, sophomore Andy Crum and redshirt-freshmen Tyler Butcher combined for six scoreless innings. The duo only allowed four base runners in that span to a Seton Hill team that is batting .324 on the year.

In the first game of the four-game weekend series versus Lock Haven University, Shippensburg was able to squeak by with a 1-0 decision. The game was a pitcher’s duel that saw both starters pitch the entirety of the seven-inning game. Shippensburg’s Mark Curtis and Lock Haven’s Parker Watson both gave up six hits, but the difference in the game came by way of an unearned run by Shippensburg’s Austin Allison in the sixth inning.

The second game of the series saw quite the opposite in the way of offense, as both teams combined for five runs in the first inning. The end of the frame saw Lock Haven take a one run lead with them into the second.

The game remained tight, but Lock Haven blew the lid off of it by combining for eight runs in the fourth and fifth.

LeFever continued to struggle, giving up three runs in just one inning pitched. He was replaced in favor of Michael Hope in the fifth inning, who was himself pulled after facing just one batter. Eventually, Thomas Swartz would get the Raiders out of the inning, but not before giving up one run of his own.

Shippensburg went away quietly as Lock Haven’s Mike Anthony picked up his fourth decision on the season, increasing his record to 4-0. Shippensburg’s Marcus Shippey got the loss for the Raiders and is now 2-3 on the year.

Shippensburg then traveled to Lock Haven University to wrap up the final two games of the series.

The Raiders bats fell silent in the third game, as the squad could only muster up two hits over its course. Aside from a leadoff Mike Marcinko double, the Raiders only hit came with two outs left in the game.

The Bald Eagles put together a three-run third inning that proved to be the difference. Shippensburg senior Rich Michaud gave up the runs on five hits and finished the game with three-innings pitched.

One bright spot for Shippensburg came from Andy Crum, who entered the fourth with runners on second and third. Crum was able to escape the inning, and put together three shutout innings in relief for the Raiders.

Shippensburg went on to fall in game three, 3-1.

Game 4 capped off a solid week for Shippensburg, as sophomore Gabe Mosser put together a complete game three-hitter versus the Bald Eagles. Mosser was perfect through two innings, but a third-inning homerun allowed Lock Haven to tie the game up. Mosser was unfazed by the slip-up and maintained his composure, allowing only three base runners the rest of the way.

Marcinko and Jack Goertzen both scored in the fourth inning to give Shippensburg a lead it would not relinquish. They got some help from Lock Haven, though, who committed an error that allowed Goertzen to score. Neither side could get its offense going in the last three innings, and Shippensburg walked away with the win — this time with the score 3-1 in its favor.

Mosser’s compete game in the fourth of the sophomore’s career. His longest outing to date was 3.2 innings.

Shippensburg’s Austin Allison’s streak of games reaching base came to an end this week in the second game against the Eagles at 20. He has reached base in 21-of-25 games this year.

Shippensburg will look to build on its solid week this Tuesday versus PSAC western opponent Shepherd University at 3 p.m. at Fairchild Field.

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