The Purdue North Central baseball team split a non-conference doubleheader with visiting Goshen College Sunday afternoon in Westville. The Panthers lost the first game 7-6 before winning the second game 18-11. The Panthers are now 9-12 on the season.
In the first game the Panthers fell behind in the third inning as Goshen put up three runs. PNC fought back but struck out twice with the tying and winning runs on second and third to end the game 7-6.
The Panthers outhit Goshen 11-7 and were led by junior Ched Gaskin with three doubles and three RBI's. Junior Brad Dubois and freshman Ty Taylor (2B) each added two hits. Senior Jeff Strbjak added a run scoring double for PNC.
Freshman Jesse Mills took the loss, giving up all six runs (4 earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out four in 4.2 innings. Fellow freshman Andy Jones pitched one scoreless inning allowing a walk and picking up a strikeout before junior Chuck Meyers gave up one run on two hits while striking out one over the final 1.2 innings.
The Panthers got off to a hot start in the second game by scoring 18 runs to Goshen's three in the first three innings. PNC was led once again by Gaskin with three hits and five RBI's while senior Nate Hall, Strbjak, and sophomore Colin Willis all had two hits apiece. Strbjak (2B, 3RBI's), Hall (2), Willis (2B, 2 RBI's) and freshman Ed Moldenhauer (2) all had multiple RBI's. Junior Rich Myers added a double.
Senior Leddrew Smith went five innings and gave up just five runs (4 earned runs) on eight hits and three walks while punching out three to earn the win. Freshman Dylan Ozbolt gave up six runs over .2 innings on six hits and a walk before junior Mike Bradley allowed just one hit over the final 1.1 innings.
The Panthers host conference opponent Robert Morris College for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 20th at home. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
