By Maggie Samole / Sports editor

Baseball

The UPG baseball team managed a split decision in a doubleheader against Mt. Aloysius Wednesday afternoon, taking the first game 8-4, but dropping the second in extra innings, 17-16.

Third baseman Bill Brady led the Bobcats by batting 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in game one. Catcher Chad Hoffner also helped the UPG offense with a 3-for-4 effort with a double, a home run and two RBIs. First baseman Mike Battocchi was 2-for-4 with a run scored.

John Skeels picked up the win on the mound for the Bobcats. He scattered eight hits and gave up all four Mt. Aloysius runs while fanning four in five innings of work. Mike Zukowski earned the save by striking out two over the final two innings.

The Bobcats didn't fare as well in game two of the doubleheader. Starting pitcher Dino Tessari gave up seven earned runs on nine hits in two innings of work. Relievers Erik Prinz and Mike Zukowski also were roughed up by the Mounties, each giving up five runs on six and seven hits apiece, respectively.

The Bobcats' batters hit the Mounties' pitchers just as hard as their pitchers were being hit. Second baseman Matt Stanziano was 3-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Center fielder Matt Gouveia was 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Shortstop Preston Gray batted 2-for-2 with two doubles.

The Bobcats are currently 11-9 overall, 6-4 AMCC, and are in fourth place in conference standings. Next up for the team is a 1 p.m. doubleheader versus Penn State Behrend on Saturday.

Softball

The Lady Bobcats earned a split decision in a doubleheader against Mt. Aloysius Wednesday afternoon, winning the first game 10-7, while dropping the second 9-7.

Game one remained scoreless until the fourth inning when Mt. Aloysius scored three runs. However, UPG came back in the bottom of the inning to score four runs.

Lindsay Littler was 2-for-4 with three RBIs in game one. Center fielder Shannon Bradburn batted 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. Kelly Welsh was 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Taylor Kimmel went the distance on the mound, picking up the complete-game victory.

The Lady Bobcats seemed to be in control of game two after Ali Carr and Jenn Dempsey notched back-to-back triples, driving in three runs in the bottom of the third inning. The team's hot bats had them a 6-2 lead at the top half of the fourth inning. However, the Mounties' batters roughed up starting pitcher Emily Dempsey and Kimmel in relief for 7 runs over the final four innings to edge the Lady Bobcats.

Bradburn and Welsh each batted 3-for-4 in game two to lead the Lady Bobcats.

The Lady Bobcats are 5-7 overall, 5-5 AMCC and occupy the fourth place in conference standings. They're next in action this Saturday as they travel to Penn State Behrend for a 1 p.m. doubleheader.