Box Score

Seton Hill saw their 2014 season come to an end two games short of where they wanted it to end following a loss in an elimination game at the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships in Cary, NC.  The Griffins had four hits in the first inning but could only score one run and Minnesota State scored all of its runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth as the Mavs eliminated the Griffins by the score of 3-1.  SHU ends the season with a 41-17 record. Taylor Schmidt was named to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships All Tournament Team.  Schmidt was 5-9 in the tournament with 1 stolen base and 11 putouts in the outfield.
 

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The first four Griffins hitters got base hits but only could manage one run as two Griffin base runners were cut down on the bases.  Brendan Costantino singled to lead off the contest and moved to third on a perfectly executed hit and run from Taylor Schmidt.  Schmidt then was called out trying to steal on a very questionable call but Costantino was able to score on the play to give SHU a 1-0 lead.  Cody Herald doubled but was then cut down trying to move up to third base on a pitch in the dirt.  Nick Sell then singled but a strikeout ended the top of the first.  Minnesota State got their leadoff runner on with a walk in the second but Griffin starter Jordan Fuller got a double play ball and a strikeout to end the inning.  
 
Seton Hill put two runners on in the top of the third but had another runner thrown out trying to steal at second base that put an end to the Griffin scoring threat.  Minnesota State finally got on the board in the bottom of the fourth, all of it coming after two outs.  The Mavs drew a two out walk then put together three straight hits to take a 3-1 lead.  Sell led off the sixth with a base hit but was eliminated on a double play.  A groundout ended the inning and SHU continued to trail 3-1 after five and a half innings. 

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Griffin reliever Alex Haines struck out his first three hitters he faced and retired the Mavs as they continued to lead 3-1 after six innings.  Mavs starter Mathias Butala was able to get the Griffins out 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth when the Griffins had their top of the lineup up.  Sell led off the top of the ninth with a double to the left center field gap but Butala was able to get the final three outs of the game to end the Griffins season. 
 
Jordan Fuller suffered the loss, going 4 2/3 innings.  He gave up all 3 runs on 5 hits.  Alex Haines threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, striking out 5.  Nick Sell had three of the Griffins 8 hits.