Box Score

Seton Hill gave up two runs in the fourth, fifth and eighth innings and could not get the bats going as they fall into the losers bracket at the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships after a 6-2 loss to Colorado Mesa.  SHU falls to 41-16 overall while Colorado Mesa improves to 46-11 overall.

Watch the postgame press conference featuring head coach Marc Marizzaldi, third baseman Nick Sell and starter Brad Schnelle.
 
 

Dan Abbenante makes a running catchto end the second inning." alt="D2BC-8" src="/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=14&image_path=/images/2014/5/28/JG_5442.jpg" />

Griffin starter Brad Schnelle opened the game by retiring the first three batters he faced in the top of the first inning.  Mesa got their first hit of the game in the second inning but a great running catch from Dan Abbenante ended the inning.  SHU threatened in the bottom of the second.  After an out, Chris Miller walked and then Garret Vrbanic doubled to put runners on second and third with two outs.  A popout to short ended the Griffin threat.  The Griffin defense saved another run in the third as Taylor Schmidt's diving catch in centerfield ended the top half of the third.  Colorado Mesa finally broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth.  They loaded the bases with a single, an error on a bunt and a bunt base hit.  Two groundouts scored two runs to give the Mavs a 2-0 lead. 
 
Cody Herald drew a leadoff walk to start the bottom half of the fourth and Nick Sell looked to have hit a ball into the gap on a hit and run but an incredible catch from the Mavs right fielder kept the Griffins off the board.  A double play then ended the inning.  The Mavs had a single, double and triple to add two more runs in the fifth and increase their lead to 4-0.  The Griffins cut the lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth.  After two outs Abbenante singled to left center field.  He then scored when Schmidt reached on a bunt single and the throw got away at third base trying to get Abbenante. 

Brad Schnelle suffered the loss." alt="D2BC-7" src="/common/controls/image_handler.aspx?thumb_id=14&image_path=/images/2014/5/28/JG_5419.jpg" />

 
Colorado Mesa loaded the bases in the top of the sixth but Schnelle got a strikeout to end the inning.  SHU put runners at first and second with one out in the sixth on singles from Anthony Fanelli and Sell but a popout and groundout to end the inning.  Mesa then added two more runs in the top of the eighth inning to increase their lead to 6-1.  SHU was able to score a run in the eighth but missed an opportunity to get more.  Brendan Costantino led off the inning with a single and then moved to second when Fanelli was hit by a pitch.  Mesa then got a double play ball from Cody Herald before Costantino scored on a wild pitch. 
 
Brad Schnelle was handed the loss.  He gave up 4 runs (3 earned) in 6 innings of work.  Nick Sell was the lone Griffin with two hits. 
 
The Griffins will now play in an elimination game on Wednesday night at 7 PM when they take on Minnesota State in a win or go home contest.