GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The Grove City College baseball team closed its 2018 home schedule Monday afternoon at Jack Behringer Field by dropping a doubleheader to visiting Westminster in Presidents' Athletic Conference action. Westminster held off the Wolverines for a 9-8 win in the opener. Grove City then dropped a 5-1 decision in the nightcap.

In Game One, Grove City trailed 9-3 entering the bottom of the ninth before charging back. Freshman Bubba Hamilton (Waynesboro, Pa./Waynesboro) helped spark the comeback with a pinch-hit double that scored junior right fielder Shane Hammel (Fort Collins, Colo./Fossil Ridge). 

Sophomore shortstop Bob Abbott (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) scored Grove City's second run of the inning on a fielder's choice. Sophomore first baseman Matt Dayton (Allison Park, Pa./Hampton) followed with a two-run double that scored Hamilton and senior center fielder Tyler Graham (Vandergrift, Pa./Kiski Area). Dayton then scored on a single by junior third baseman Micah Burke (Gilbert, Ariz./E.V.A.C.). 

Freshman pinch runner D.J. Newby (McKeesport, Pa./McKeesport) replaced Burke and immediately stole second base. Freshman left fielder Jesse Clary (Cranberry Township, Pa./Eden Christian) then rocketed a single to right field. However, Westminster right fielder Tyler Barnot threw a perfect strike to the plate to cut down Newby for the game's final out. 

Westminster took a 5-0 lead in the fifth inning but Hammel scored Grove City's first run of the afternoon on a single from junior DH Travis Auth (Medina, Ohio/Medina). Junior second baseman Bobby Dulay (Youngstown, Ohio/Ursuline) then singled in freshman catcher Tanner Orner (Carlisle, Pa./Cumberland Valley).

In the eighth, Dayton doubled in Graham. Abbott and Dayton both finished 2 for 4 while Burke went 2 for 5.

Sophomore pitcher Austin Wacker (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) started for Grove City and allowed five unearned runs in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four. Sophomore Corey Thomas (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle), freshman Joel Engstrom (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon) and freshman Nick Chiodo (Solon, Ohio/Solon) all pitched in relief for the Wolverines (12-16, 6-8 PAC).

In Game Two, Grove City forged a 1-1 tie in the third inning when Clary scored on Hammel's sacrifice fly. Grove City finished the game with seven hits, all singles. Both teams stranded 14 runners in the nightcap. Clary extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

Newby started for Grove City and allowed two earned runs in seven innings. He struck out nine men, which matches the most by any pitcher in conference play this season. Freshman reliever Jacob Brothers (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Christian) pitched two innings of relief.

Grove City will visit Hiram in a single non-conference game Wednesday at 4 p.m.